The AHL’s top scorer is getting his shot at the big time. Luca Del Bel Belluz, who’s been lighting up the minors, just got the call every young hockey player dreams of – he’s heading to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 21-year-old has been absolutely on fire this season with the Cleveland Monsters. He’s racked up 37 points in just 34 games, with 17 goals and 20 assists. That’s good enough to lead the entire AHL in scoring.
It’s pretty amazing how far he’s come. The Blue Jackets picked him 44th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, and he’s already looking like a steal. Last year, his rookie season, he put up decent numbers – 9 goals and 31 points in 58 games. This year? He’s blown past those numbers in almost half the time.
But it’s not just about scoring. Del Bel Belluz is showing he can play both ends of the ice.
His +9 rating really stands out, especially considering the Monsters as a team are only +8 overall. That’s the kind of two-way play that NHL coaches love to see.
He’ll likely suit up for Columbus tomorrow night, which would be just his second NHL game. The timing’s perfect, as he might fill in for Sean Monahan, who’s dealing with an upper-body injury.
The young forward is walking into some exciting situations at both levels. His Monsters are just one point behind the Rochester Americans for the North Division lead. And if he sticks with Columbus? The Blue Jackets are right in the thick of the playoff race, holding onto the last wild-card spot in a super-tight Eastern Conference.
Talk about a win-win situation for a young player on the rise.
