Colts Sign Defenceman Marc Ruggere

The Barrie Colts announced today that the club has signed defenceman Marc Ruggere to a standard OHL player agreement, officially bringing the New Jersey product into the organization’s blue-line pipeline.

Ruggere, a 6-foot-3, 196-pound right-shot defenceman from Saddle River, New Jersey, was selected by Barrie in the fifth round (87th overall) of the 2026 OHL Priority Selection, a pick acquired via Saginaw. The signing formalizes his commitment to the organization after a summer that saw him weigh a college path before deciding his future was in the CHL.

“We’re really excited to get Marc’s name on paper,” said Colts General Manager Marty Williamson. “He’s a big, physical kid who plays with an edge every night. As soon as our staff saw him play, we knew this was a guy who fit the identity we’re building in Barrie.”

A stay-at-home defence with an imposing frame and a competitive streak, Ruggere spent last season with the Woodbridge Wolfpack Premier U15 AAA before capping his year with the Detroit Little Caesars at the OHL Cup, where he chipped in a goal over five games against some of the top competition in the region.

Ruggere’s game is built on details: tight gaps, a heavy stick, and a willingness to make life difficult for opposing forwards below the hoops. Scouts have flagged him as a high-character, high-compete defender who reads plays well for a player his size, giving the Colts a long-term piece who profiles as a shutdown option as he continues to develop.

With the signing complete, Ruggere joins a Colts blue line that continues to add size and physicality, giving Barrie’s coaching staff another versatile option to develop as the organization builds.

Welcome to Barrie, Marc!