Tambellini, 20, has skated in 65 games with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season, registering 45 goals and 34 assists for 79 points, along with a plus-40 rating and 26 penalty minutes. He is one of two players in the three Canadian Major Junior Leagues (OHL, QMJHL, and WHL) who have tallied at least 45 goals and have posted a plus/minus rating of plus-40 or better this season. Tambellini ranks fourth in the WHL in goals, ranks sixth in plus/minus rating, is tied for seventh in points, and is tied for third in the league in shorthanded goals (four). Tambellini also leads Calgary in goals, points, plus/minus rating, and shorthanded goals, is tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (five), ranks second in power play goals (eight), and is tied for third in assists.
The 6-3, 195-pounder has tallied a point in 46 of 65 games this season, including a goal in 35 contests. Tambellini has also posted 23 multi-point games in 2014-15. He has recorded a point in nine of his last 11 games (seven goals, six assists), and in 22 of his last 27 contests (23 goals, 17 assists over the span). Tambellini recorded a career-high seven-game point streak on two occasions this season (Jan. 17-31 and Feb. 14-27), and he registered a career-high six-game goal streak from Jan. 18-31.
Tambellini has skated in 96 career WHL games over parts of two seasons with Calgary, registering 62 goals and 56 assists for 118 points, along with a plus-37 rating and 36 penalty minutes. He has tallied a point in 67 of 96 career WHL contests, and has recorded a goal in 49 of those games. Tambellini has also appeared in six career WHL playoff games, tallying nine points (five goals, four assists) and posting a plus-five rating in those contests.
The Port Moody, British Columbia native was originally selected by the Rangers in the third round, 65th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
