Massimo Rizzo Signs In Sweden

A former draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes is headed overseas to continue his professional career. According to a team announcement, forward Massimo Rizzo has signed with Kalmar HC of the HockeyAllsvenskan for the 2026-27 season.

Rizzo, 25, was originally selected with the 216th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Hurricanes. He was playing for the BCHL’s Penticton Vees at the time, finishing the season with 11 goals and 40 points in 37 games. He remained in the BCHL for a few more years before committing to the University of Denver for his collegiate career.

His time with the Pioneers got off to a great start, finishing his rookie campaign with 12 goals and 36 points in 39 games with a +18 rating. Throughout his entire collegiate career, Rizzo registered 39 goals and 126 points in 107 games with a +66 rating. Additionally, Rizzo won two National Championships with the Pioneers and was named to the Western All-American Second Team on two occasions. Leading up to his final season playing at Magness Arena, the Hurricanes traded Rizzo’s signing rights and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for David Kase.

Eventually, Rizzo signed his entry-level contract with the Flyers, spending his first professional season with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He finished his rookie season with six goals and 18 points in 46 games.

Unfortunately, Rizzo was not afforded much stability. Beginning the season with the ECHL’s Reading Royals, Rizzo was traded to the Boston Bruins on March 6th, and then traded to the Nashville Predators on March 12th. After the season, the Predators traded his signing rights to the New York Rangers in the Adam Edstrom deal, and the Rangers subsequently chose not to tender him a contract.