Oshawa Defender Signs With Columbus Blue Jackets

It was announced yesterday that Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals signed a three-year, entry-level contract worth $870,333 with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Columbus drafted the 19-year-old defender in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft after Marrelli finished eighth in scoring amongst OHL defensemen last season.

It's easy to see why Columbus chose to sign the Toronto native. If he had an impressive year last season it is nothing compared to the numbers he has recorded so far this year.

In 30 games Marrelli has 14 goals and 26 helpers for a total of 40 points. That puts him second amongst OHL defensemen trailing only Sam Dickinson.

In the entire month of October, Marrelli only went pointless in three games and scored a total of 14 points in 11 games. As a result, he was named OHL Defender of the Month.

He is on pace to end the year with 32 goals and 59 assists for a total of 91 points.

However, Marrelli is more than a big point producer. At 6-foot-2, he has good size and uses it effectively in the defensive zone to control opposing players. He is also solid defensively, as evidenced by his cumulative plus-minus of +25 in 217 OHL games.

Interestingly, the signing comes just over a week after Columbus traded away former sixth-overall pick David Jiricek to the Minnesota Wild. The disgruntled defender asked for a trade earlier in the month.

Though Columbus still has Zach Werenski, who leads the team in points, Jiricek was a big part of their future. Marrelli's size and 200-foot game could make him a very good asset if he continues to develop.

For now, Marrelli will lead a Generals squad that could be without Calum Ritchie and Beckett Sennecke if they end up joining Canada's World Junior squad.

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