From scoring 55 goals in the OHL last season to making his NHL debut on Tuesday night! Former London Knights captain Luke Evangelista skated 14:28 with the Nashville Predators in their 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, registering two shots on goal as he played his first NHL contest at the age of 21.
From Oakville, Ont., Evangelista’s 55 goals led the OHL in 2021-22 as he finished with 111 points (55-56–111) in 62 games and was voted to the League’s second all-star team. He also led the OHL in shots on goal by a wide margin, sending 340 on net last year. Originally a first round (14th overall) pick by the Knights in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, Evangelista’s ascendance to stardom happened rapidly as he went from just two assists in 27 games during his rookie season in 2018-19 to 61 points (23-38–61) in 62 games in his sophomore season.
Nashville’s second round (42nd overall) pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Evangelista made quite the impression with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals out of the gate this season, recording 41 points (9-32–41) in 49 games before getting the call from the big club this week.
WE’VE GOT A ROOKIE LAP pic.twitter.com/Nhwydtn2XU
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 1, 2023
