The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed center Luca Pinelli to a three-year entry level contract beginning with the 2024-25 season, the club announced today. He was selected by Columbus in the fourth round, 114th overall, at the 2023 NHL Draft held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Pinelli, 19, recorded 48 goals and 34 assists for 82 points with 44 penalty minutes, 15 power play goals, five game-winning goals and 266 shots on goal in 68 appearances with the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s in 2023-24. The 5-9, 169-pound forward, who served as the 67’s captain this past season, set career highs and ranked third in the OHL in goals as well as fifth in PPG (tied) and shots on goal. He added 5-2-7 with 13 PIM and 40 shots on goal in 10 playoff appearances to lead the club in shots on goal and finish second in goals and fourth-T in points.
The Stoney Creek, Ontario native has registered 91-90-181 with 146 penalty minutes, 30 power play goals, 12 game-winning goals, 580 shots on goal and a cumulative +25 plus/minus rating in 194 career OHL games, while adding 14-15-29 in 25 career playoff games over three campaigns with Ottawa from 2021-24. He finished second on the club in goals and points in 2022-23 with 29-34-63 in 67 regular season outings before racking up 7-11-18 in 11 playoff games. He collected 14-22-36 in 59 games in his rookie campaign with the 67's in 2021-22.
