Ottawa 67’s look to move Luca Pinelli before trade deadline

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Luca Pinelli has likely played his last game for the Ottawa 67’s.

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According to an OHL source, the 67’s are attempting to move their 19-year-old captain before the OHL trade deadline Friday at noon.

Pinelli, a Stoney Creek product, played for Canada at the world junior hockey championship, scoring a goal and adding an assist, with a plus-3 rating and eight penalty minutes in the five games.

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Pinelli was a healthy scratch for “precautionary measures” when the 67’s faced the Brampton Steelheads on Wednesday night at TD Place.

James Boyd, the 67’s general manager, would only say he’s keeping his options open as the trade deadline approaches.

“We recouped some key draft picks at the start of the year by trading (Brad) Gardiner to Barrie,” said Boyd. “We are open to deals that will restock our cupboards.”

With a 14-15-19 record, the 67’s were fourth in their division and eighth in their conference before hosting the Steelheads.

There should be plenty of interest in Pinelli, who has proven to be one of the best scorers in the OHL over the last two years.

In 26 games this season, he has 21 goals and 37 points after scoring 48 goals and 82 points over 68 games in 2023-24.

A second-round pick of the 67’s in 2021, he was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL entry draft.

When he was named to Canada’s roster for the world juniors, management lead Peter Anholt said Pinelli is like “a dog on a bone” with his persistent, hard-working play.

Pinelli was an extra forward for one game in the pre-tournament competition, but was quickly moved to the second line, where he settled in alongside Berkly Catton, the eighth overall selection of the Seattle Kraken in 2024, and Gavin McKenna, who’s widely considered to be the top player available in the 2026 NHL draft.

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