Waterloo traded up to select Rolston with the No. 2 pick in Phase II of the 2019 USHL Draft on May 7. He was coveted after he had 33 points (20 goals, 13 assists) in 33 games last season for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team, which had 17 players selected in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Eight of those 17 went in the first round, including center Jack Hughes, chosen No. 1 by the New Jersey Devils.
Rolston now is looking forward to his turn.
"It's something you think about just because of last year," Rolston said. "I was with all those guys who went in the first round last year and got drafted."
Before fully turning his attention to the draft, Rolston wants to refine his game. His versatility is something he would most like to improve, particularly his play away from the puck, which will serve him as he moves forward in his hockey career; he will be a freshman at Notre Dame next season.
"In the next level you have to be able to play in all scenarios," said Rolston, who said he's modeled his game after Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and Los Angeles Kings forward Ilya Kovalchuk. "I feel like just working on that side will kind of turn me into a more complete player. I'll be able to play in all situations when the time comes."
Rolston said his speed and skating is where he'd like it to be. He has worked on his shot the past year, making a concerted effort to get better from the outside instead of solely scoring from around the crease.
All that effort has paid off, Waterloo coach PK O'Handley said.
"His world is open. He wants it. You have to have that," O'Handley said. "He's got the competitive nature. You've got to have that. He's got the skill set. You've got to have that. Just all has to come together, and that just takes a little bit of time."
It's easy to tell when a prospect comes from a family with NHL experience, O'Handley said.
"When you look at a guy like that, many guys like that that have the pedigree, they've been around the game," O'Handley said. "They've been around the room. They've been around coaches and they've heard the speak. So not surprised. Great family."
Pressure could come with being from a certain family, but the younger Rolston said that hasn't been his experience because of a simple message from his father.
"The biggest thing was competing for your team," he said. "So I would say compete, have fun and work hard. Those are the three things that are big coming from him, and I try to go with every single game."
---
Listen: New episode of NHL Draft Class