Ontario Reign: Francesco Pinelli’s season update

Pinelli’s season so far

Juniors to the professional level, just like graduating from high school and going off to college. It’s a whole new life and world. That’s one way to describe jumping from juniors to professional hockey. Pinelli is going through that process of adjusting from one level of hockey to the next. In his final year in the OHL, Pinelli enjoyed a 90-point campaign (41G-49A), good enough for 11th in the OHL and second on the Kitchener Rangers. His five short-handed goals were tied for first in the OHL as well.

There was plenty of reason for excitement when the 20-year-old jumped to the professional level this year. However, the excitement hasn’t been there for the rookie this season, as he only has four points in 22 games. However, there is no reason to be concerned. As with the case of Martin Chromiak last year, the Reign have been sheltering Pinelli as he gets acclimated to the professional game.

Pinelli has suited up for 22 out of 27 games for the Reign. Those other five games he was a healthy scratch. During one of those games he was a healthy scratch, I sat next to Pinelli in the press box and asked what are the differences between playing in juniors compared to the AHL. Pinelli took the time to answer the question and mentioned that speed, size, and puck management are some of the differences he’s learning as he adjusts to the professional level.

Those three are always things a player must adjust to when going from juniors or college to the AHL or NHL. The game is faster, you’re playing against grown men, and you need to be precise with your decision-making. The mistake you make in juniors, you can get away with it. Not at the professional level, though.

Instead of playing his usual center position, head coach Marco Sturm has had Pinelli play at the wing position, which has fewer responsibilities, unlike the center position. Mainly playing only five-on-five, Pinelli’s role may increase going forward.

Increased role?

The Reign were loaded at the center position to start the season. Lately, that spot has been hit with injury and roster transactions. First, Mikhail Maltsev, who occupied the second-line center spot, was loaned to the KHL two weeks ago. A day after the Reign lost Maltsev to the KHL, Alex Turcotte went down with an injury. In 36 hours, the Reign lost their second and third-line center. With injuries and roster transactions comes with lineup shuffling.

As of now, Sturm has used Akil Thomas as the number-two center and has slid Pinelli over to the third-line center to round out his lineup. Maltsev and Turcotte were used on the power play and penalty kill, which means those units will get juggled up, too. In his last seven games since being moved to center, Pinelli has seen time on the penalty kill in every game except one and no power play time.

With Maltsev and Turcotte out, Pinelli may see an increased role. After The Reign’s shootout victory over the Colorado Eagles, I asked Sturm to assess Pinelli’s play at center. Here’s what he had to say:

“I actually thought today was his best game, and I told him I don’t need a goal every night. He’s in a different spot right now. He has two veterans on his side, so I just want to concentrate him on playing good defense and playing the middle of the ice. He did an oustanding job today. That’s what we need, and he just needs time, but I do like him as a centerman than a winger.”

I agree with Sturm on liking Pinelli better as a centerman than a winger. Pinelli can make plays, drive play, and kill penalties. He did it in the OHL, and it’s time to see him do it in the AHL. While the Reign seem like they don’t want to stack the responsibilities up yet, they may be forced to. Maltsev won’t be back this year, and while Turcotte was seen skating in a red non-contact jersey last week, there is still no timetable for his return. Even when Turcotte returns to the lineup, I think Sturm should move Turcotte up to the second-line center spot, slide Thomas back to the wing, and keep Pinelli as the third-line center.

With the roster shuffling and injuries, this is a chance for Pinelli to seize an opportunity and grow. After all, the AHL is a developmental league. Two years ago, defenseman Jordan Spence was in the same position and ran with his opportunity as his role increased. Can Pinelli seize his? Time will tell.