Ontario Reign: Francesco Pinelli’s Season Review

With the Ontario Reign season over, we continue our season reviews for the prospects. Up next: Francesco Pinelli!

2024-25 stats

Games: 70

Goals: 15

Assists: 14

Points: 29

+/-: -8

PIM: 46

2024-25 season

Francesco Pinelli entered his sophomore season looking to carry over the strong ending from his rookie campaign. The 22-year-old was a player I thought could play a 2/3C role for the Reign on opening night, but that didn’t materialize. The Reign had Samuel Helenius and Jack Studnicka as their second and third-line centers for the first four games, leaving Pinelli as the fourth center. It was a lineup decision I didn’t agree with, as I felt Pinelli should have had a role as the team’s second- or third-line center, playing with skilled players, and Helenius as the fourth center with Shawn Element and Jacob Doty.

While Pinelli did get limited playing time in the top six, he spent most of the season in a bottom-six role. He spent the whole year at center, unlike his rookie campaign, where he spent time at center and wing. Despite not having that elevated role, the 22-year-old forward was relied on at five-on-five, the penalty kill, and at times on the second power-play unit. His two short-handed tallies were second on the team, and his 21 points at five-on-five were ranked eighth.

Pinelli finished the season with 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points in 70 games while primarily playing in the bottom six for Marco Sturm’s squad. In contrast to the 2023-24 season, Pinelli looked confident skating with the puck through the middle of the ice and was one of a few players who were strong carrying the puck upon zone entry. He also improved defensively and added a little bit of an edge to his game, as highlighted by his two fighting majors.

“He had a slow start, but the last few months, I thought he was much better, skating better. He’s more involved. He’s still learning and trying to find his way, but I like where he’s heading. – Sturm on Pinelli’s improved play after a slow start (postgame media availability on March 7, 2025)