2026 OHL In The System: Columbus Blue Jackets
This 32-part series will spotlight OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played.
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Today, we take a closer look at the Columbus Blue Jackets’ prospect pool with ties to the OHL.
Alessandro Di Iorio (C) – Sarnia Sting (2024-26)
Selected: 3rd Round, 94th Overall (2026)
OHL Career Stats: 103 GP, 23G, 46A, 69 PTS, -61
Age: 18
Former second-overall OHL Priority Selection pick Alessandro Di Iorio was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2026 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-1 centreman serves as captain of the Sarnia Sting and recorded 31 points (12-19–31) in an injury-shortened 45-game campaign in 2025-26. The Vaughan, Ont., native has represented Canada internationally on multiple occasions, most recently at the 2026 IIHF U18 World Championship.
Owen Griffin (C) – Oshawa Generals (2023-26), Guelph Storm (2026-27)
Selected: 5th Round, 160th Overall (2025)
Signed (ATO): Mar. 26, 2026
OHL Career Stats: 189 GP, 48G, 76A, 124 PTS, -41
Age: 19
Over three seasons, Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Owen Griffin recorded 48 goals and 76 assists for 124 points in 189 regular-season games. Griffin was also a key contributor during Oshawa’s back-to-back appearances in the OHL Championship Series, producing 34 points in 42 playoff games, including an OHL-leading 17 goals during the 2025 postseason. He was recently acquired by the Guelph Storm ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Luca Marrelli (D) – Oshawa Generals (2021-25)
Selected: 3rd Round, 86th Overall (2024)
Signed: Dec. 11, 2024
OHL Career Stats: 254 GP, 30G, 141A, 171 PTS, +34
Age: 20
In his first professional season with the Cleveland Monsters, Luca Marrelli recorded 16 points (4-12–16) in 32 regular-season games, finishing second among the club’s rookie defencemen in scoring despite appearing in roughly half as many games as the team leader.
Luca Pinelli (LW) – Ottawa 67’s (2021-25)
Selected: 4th Round, 114th Overall (2023)
Signed: Apr. 23, 2024
OHL Career Stats: 246 GP, 128G, 124A, 252 PTS, +26
Age: 20
In his first professional season with the Cleveland Monsters, Luca Pinelli recorded 46 points (14-32–46) in 68 regular-season games to finish third on the team in scoring. He also made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets in late November, appearing in three games.
Nolan Lalonde (G) – Erie Otters (2021-2023), Saginaw Spirit (2023-24), Kingston Frontenacs (2024-25), Soo Greyhounds (2024-25)
Signed: Oct. 2, 2022
OHL Career Stats: 167 GP, 3.60 GAA, .876 SV%, 72-65-10-8
Age: 22
Spending most of the season with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, Nolan Lalonde posted an 11-4-3 record in 22 regular-season starts while recording a 2.57 goals-against average, a .903 save percentage and one shutout. The 6-foot-2 goaltender originally signed with Columbus as a free agent in 2022 and will look to earn a full-time opportunity with the Cleveland Monsters this fall.
Luca Del Bel Belluz (C) – Mississauga Steelheads (2019-23), Sarnia Sting (2022-23)
Selected: 2nd Round, 44th Overall (2022)
Signed: Dec. 1, 2022
OHL Career Stats: 192 GP, 71G, 98A, 169 PTS, +20
Age: 22
Luca Del Bel Belluz followed up his standout sophomore professional season with another career year, leading the Cleveland Monsters with 58 points (22-36–58). He also appeared in 14 games with the Blue Jackets, recording his first NHL point with an assist, and was named an AHL All-Star for the second consecutive season.
Max McCue (RW) – London Knights (2019-24)
Signed: Mar. 1, 2024
OHL Career Stats: 218 GP, 51G, 90A, 141 PTS, +47
Age: 23
In his second season with the Cleveland Monsters, Max McCue matched his career high with eight points (2-6–8) despite appearing in just 36 games—nearly half as many as the previous season. He is expected to return to Cleveland for the 2026-27 campaign.
Tomorrow on OHL In The System: We’ll take a look at the OHL talent inside the New York Islanders organization.
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