By Nate Ewell

At least a couple of times a week, Boston University senior Evan Rodrigues (Etobicoke, Ont./Georgetown-OJHL) and many of his teammates take the ice at Agganis Arena early in the morning, before classes start and while many college students are still in bed.

This isn’t for practice – that will come later in the afternoon. This is extra time on the ice, a chance for Rodrigues and others to put in some extra work on specific individual skills.

Tonight's game: BU vs. Northeastern (NESN, TSN1)

As the Etobicoke, Ontario, native enjoys his best season yet, it’s clear that his efforts are paying off. Rodrigues heads into tonight’s Beanpot championship game (NESN and TSN1) with 43 points in 30 games, second nationally and trailing only linemate Jack Eichel (N. Chelmsford, Mass./U.S. NTDP), another frequent early-morning visitor on the Agganis ice.

Rodrigues has averaged two points per game since mid-December (30 points in 15 games), including an incredible run where he scored or assisted on game-winning goals in six straight games.

“I’ve been trying to get on the ice in the morning, before class, at least a couple times a week,” Rodrigues said recently. “A group of us get out there and skate, shoot, and work on little things. The coaches come help us and I’ve tried to take advantage of that as much as possible.

“It’s individual skills work, little things,” he added. “It can be shooting, or even something as small as getting the puck off the wall. I’ve been working on quick releases on one-timers with my shot. I know that extra millisecond can be the difference between a goal and a save.”

Rodrigues has been a solid performer throughout his BU career; as a sophomore, he scored 14 goals playing much of the time with current linemate Danny O’Regan (Needham, Mass./St. Sebastian’s) and current San Jose Shark Matt Nieto. But his contributions this season have easily eclipsed the previous years; he’s been a consistent threat, including in the Beanpot semifinals, when he created a turnover that led to O’Regan’s overtime goal.

“The biggest things I’ve improved are, first, my strength, and also my patience and consistency,” he said. “Going into college I knew I needed to get stronger. Working out is a big part of development, and that’s been a big focus for me here. I’ve also worked to not let a bad shift or a bad period continue to affect my game.”

Rodrigues’s breakout season has come at the perfect time. He has helped return the Terriers to the national spotlight while showcasing himself for a potential NHL free agent deal. While NHL scouts flock to see Eichel, who is draft eligible, Rodrigues is enjoying his best season at 21 years old – an age where former teammates from the Toronto area who chose to play in the OHL are no longer eligible in that league.

Rodrigues always wanted to follow older brother Paul, who played at Oswego State, to U.S. college. Evan’s development at school could help lead him to a Beanpot title tonight, and greater successes down the road.