Erie Otters Sign Two Defensemen; Adding Another NCAA Committed Player

On Tuesday, the Erie Otters added depth to the blueline as they put pen to paper and signed a couple of defensemen.

Left-shot defenseman Michael D'Alessio was drafted in the fourth round, 72nd overall in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, after putting together a successful season with the Vaughan Kings organization in the GTHL.

He won the GTHL U16 Championship and an OHL Cup silver medal playing alongside Sarnia Sting's second-overall pick Alessandro Di Iorio.

This season, D'Alessio has been playing for the St. Michael's Buzzers in the OJHL (nine points in 29 games), where he has received a lot of praise for how quickly he has adjusted to the Jr. A level of play at just 15 years old (late Dec. 3, 2008 birthday).

Video Scout for McKeen's Hockey Steven Graves had this to say about the 6-foot-1, 170-pound defenseman back in April before the OHL Draft took place:

"D’Alessio is one of many impressive players on a Vaughan Kings team that has dominated the 2008 age group for many seasons now. He is one of the most talented offensive defenders available in this year's OHL draft. D’Alessio is able to move the puck like very few other defenders in this class - he has excellent breakout passes and is able to facilitate a power play from the blueline. He is also a very good skater, able to glide the puck up ice with his head up with ease. He isn’t the most refined in the defensive end and is known for maybe over-committing in the offensive end, but I’m sure with the right situation, he’ll be able to nullify these concerns - it also helps he already stands at 6’1”, so he has a good physical profile to build off of."

D'Alessio made his OHL debut Wednesday night at home against the Owen Sound Attack. He was slotted in the lineup on a defense pair with Nicholas Holomego wearing number seven.

Related: What Are The Erie Otters Getting In Their Boston University Commit?

The other defenseman who received an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement from the Otters was Oliver Turner, their fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft, selected 77th overall.

Turner, 17, is a towering right-shot defender at 6-foot-5 and 194 pounds. He's a Mississauga Rebels product from the GTHL and played his U16 OHL draft season with Niagara IceDogs' Ethan Czata and Owen Sound Attack's Tristan Delisle.

The Toronto, Ontario, native plays for the prestigious St. Andrew's College program out of Aurora, Ontario. He's eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and received a "W" letter (indicating a sixth/seventh-round candidate) from NHL Central Scouting.

Turner is among a growing list of players who have signed OHL Scholarships and committed to NCAA schools. He has committed to Colgate University for the 2026-27 season.

“Oliver is a player we have wanted for some time. He significantly contributes to stabilizing the St. Andrews Saints backend, and he maintains a style that forces his opponents to work hard for offensive opportunities," said Otters' GM Dave Brown.

Related: Erie Defender Continues To Show Why He Could Be A Top NHL Draft Pick

Erie has only one right-shot defenseman on its roster, Nathan Sauder. Although Turner isn't expected to be a regular in the lineup just yet, the organization now has the flexibility of having another right-shot defender available.

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