Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals. Photo by OHL Images
HT
WT
DOB
POS
SHOOTS
OHL DRAFT
NHLCS
COUNTRY
6’2”
183
Oct 4, 2005
D
R
81st 2021
46th N.A.
CAN
SEASON
LEAGUE
TEAM
GP
G
A
PTS
2020-2021
DID NOT PLAY
2021-2022
OHL
Oshawa Generals
62
0
12
12
2022-2023
OHL
Oshawa Generals
58
5
23
28
2023-2023
OHL
Oshawa Generals
67
6
51
57
Marrelli’s game relies on making smart, decisive, and proper plays at both ends of the ice, largely due to his high hockey IQ. Combined with his size, mobility, vision, creativity, and right-handed shot, he is sure to attract ample interest.
The OHL has a few highly-touted defensemen expected to be selected early in the NHL draft, but Marrelli may stand out as the top defender at maintaining offensive zone possession. When holding the blue line, he stays composed, rapidly reads the unfolding play with superb vision, and executes skilled passes.
His high hockey IQ benefits him in the defensive zone too. He reads plays well, anticipates movements adeptly, and blocks passing lanes to disrupt opponents. Quick to retrieve the puck, he’s even quicker at initiating the transition game with crisp outlet passes.
Marrelli, a late birth-date, has already played three full seasons in the OHL, giving him significantly more experience than others in his draft class. As a result, he is further along in his development. In my view, he is a third-round pick in the upcoming draft, as his third OHL season demonstrates his versatility but lack of elite skills in any single area.
Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver/OHL Images
The 2023-2024 Ontario Hockey League season will be remembered as one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory. The fact that not a single playoff series was set until the last day of the season truly speaks volumes about the level of competition and passion in the league.
Today, we take a look at players eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and who had the most impact in March with our forward, defenceman, and goaltender of the month.
Forward of the Month – Beckett Sennecke – Oshawa Generals
March was Sennecke’s best all-around month of the season and offensively he produced 6 goals and 12 assists in 10 games. He was a plus player in each game and he was kept off the scoresheet just twice. He also had 5 multi-point games.
Also considered were: Dalyn Wakely of the North Bay Battalion with 7 goals and 12 assists in 9 games; his teammate Anthony Romani with 11 goals and 6 assists in 10 games; Ruslan Gazizov of the London Knights with 8 goals and 7 assists in 9 games; Sam Alfano of the Erie Otters with 8 goals and 8 assists in 10 games.
Defenceman of the Month – Zayne Parekh – Saginaw Spirit
For the third time in the season, Parekh is our choice here. In 11 games in March, Parekh had 5 goals and 11 assists and established himself as the top offensive blueliner in the draft. He was held pointless in just two of the games and was a minus player just twice.
Also considered were: Jakub Fibigr of the Mississauga Steelheads who had 1 goal and 12 assists in 11 games; Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals who had 3 goals and 8 assists in 10 games; Henry Mews of the Ottawa 67’s had 4 goals and 6 assists in 12 games.
Goaltender of the Month – Jacob Oster – Oshawa Generals
Oster is a two-time goaltender of the month for us after we selected him in January as well. He appeared in 9 games in March and was a perfect 9-0-0-0. He stopped 223 of 244 shots he faced for a save percentage of .914. This will be Oster’s third and final year of draft eligibility.
Also considered were: Liam Sztuska of the Peterborough Petes who went 2-3-0 and had a save percentage of .915; Charlie Robertson of the Niagara IceDogs who went 1-3-0-1 with a save percentage of .913; Ryerson Leenders of the Mississauga Steelheads who went 3-0-2-0 with a save percentage of .917.
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Academic Players of the Month for February including Luca Marrelli of the Oshawa Generals, Andrew Wycisk of the Niagara IceDogs, Matthew Andonovski of the Kitchener Rangers and Easton Wainwright of the Sarnia Sting.
East Division: Oshawa Generals blueliner Luca Marrelli is the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for February.
Marrelli is achieving an overall average of 89 percent across three grade 12 university-level courses, with a 92 percent average in Human Development, a 78 percent average in Advanced Functions and a 96 percent average in Personal Fitness at Maxwell Heights Secondary School.
“Luca is described as a very personable and dedicated individual by his teachers, coaches and teammates,” said Generals academic advisor Tom Buchanan. “Luca also demonstrates a strong work ethic”.
The 17-year-old from Toronto, Ont. has recorded 28 points (5-23–28) in 57 games for the Generals this season. Marrelli was selected in the fifth round (81st overall) by Oshawa in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Reps U16 program.
Central Division: Niagara IceDogs defenceman Andrew Wycisk is the OHL Central Division Academic Player of the Month for February.
Wycisk is currently achieving academic excellence in grade 12 level courses, including high grades in Advanced Functions, Physics, World Issues and Fitness at Governor Simcoe Secondary School.
“Andrew is an excellent student and is currently holding an average in the high 80’s,” said IceDogs academic advisor Tim Tope. “Andrew is well respected by both staff and students and is sure to lead the IceDogs for years to come.”
The 17-year-old from Etobicoke, Ont. has played 18 games this season, recording two assists for the IceDogs. The 5-foot-9, 150Ib. blueliner was selected in the third round (45th overall) by Niagara in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Vaughan Kings U16 program.
Midwest Division: Kitchener Rangers blueliner Matthew Andonovski is the OHL Midwest Division Academic Player of the Month for February.
Andonovski is achieving high grades in grade 12 courses, including an ‘A’ average throughout his demanding schedule that includes Data Management, Biology, International Business, Leadership and Large Group Physical Education at Victus Academy. Andonovski is excited at the prospect of attending university next year to study Sports Management and Business.
“A physical, puck moving defenceman with a knack for leading others on the ice and in the classroom, coaches and teachers alike describe Matthew as a passionate young man, always willing to give his best effort,” said Rangers academic advisor Dave Tennant.
The 17-year-old from Markham, Ont. has played 55 games this season, recording 14 assists and a plus/minus rating of plus-16 for the Rangers. The 6-foot-2, 200Ib. defenceman was selected in the fourth round (62nd overall) by Kitchener in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Mississauga Reps U16 program.
West Division: Sarnia Sting forward Easton Wainwright is the OHL West Division Academic Player of the Month for February.
Wainwright completed a very successful first semester at Northern Collegiate in Sarnia with an overall average of 90 percent in Advanced Functions, Biology, and Fitness. He is now currently taking Kinesiology, English, Nutrition and Health.
“Easton exhibits a high level of diligence in his studies, a commitment to his daily attendance, and is a frequent contributor to his classes,” said Sting academic advisor Todd Whitlock. “He is an great example of a student-athlete, and positive role model for his peers.”
The 18-year-old from Mount Hope, Ont. has played 57 games this season, recording 10 goals, 14 assists and 24 points for the Sting. The 5-foot-9, 172Ib. centreman was selected in the ninth round (172nd overall) by Sarnia in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs U16 program.
2022-23 OHL Academic Players of the Month:
East Division: February – Luca Marrelli (Oshawa Generals) January – Mason Vaccari (Kingston Frontenacs) December – Callum Cheynowski (Hamilton Bulldogs) November – James Guo (Peterborough Petes) October – Brad Gardiner (Ottawa 67’s)
Central Division: February – Andrew Wycisk (Niagara IceDogs) January – Wyatt Kennedy (North Bay Battalion) December – Grayson Tiller (Barrie Colts) November – Finn Harding (Mississauga Steelheads) October – Kieron Walton (Sudbury Wolves)
Midwest Division: February – Matthew Andonovski (Kitchener Rangers) January – Jett Luchanko (Guelph Storm) December – Nathan Sauder (Erie Otters) November – Braedyn Rogers (Owen Sound Attack) October – Denver Barkey (London Knights)
West Division: February – Easton Wainwright (Sarnia Sting) January – Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit) December – Tristan Bertucci (Flint Firebirds) November – Bronson Ride (Windsor Spitfires) October – Alex Kostov (Soo Greyhounds)
The OHL continues to produce student-athletes that move on to both professional and U SPORTS men’s hockey endeavours.
A total of 349 graduates utilized their OHL Scholarship at post-secondary institutions across North America during the 2021-22 academic year, with a total contribution by teams of over $3.5 million. Over the past 10 seasons, OHL Scholarship payments have totalled more than $25 million.
A total of 217 OHL Alumni were included on U SPORTS men’s hockey rosters to open the 2022-23 season.
About the Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and four American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League and U SPORTS than any other league.
OHL Writers 