Yesterday, the Kitchener Rangers announced the signing of Adam Valentini to an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Valentini played in the USHL last season after being pick in the first round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection. 

"We are very excited to welcome Adam and the Valentini family to the Rangers," said Kitchener Rangers GM Mike McKenzie. "With his skill, hockey sense and offensive creativity, we expect him to make an immediate impact with our team."

Kitchener invested in Valentini last season acquiring his rights from the Brampton Steelheads who drafted the young forward 13th overall. The trade came about after Valentini did not attend the Steelheads' camp after the draft. He would later commit to the University of Michigan. 

For the Rangers the trade ended up being a worthwhile investment. They acquired Valentini's playing rights in exchange for a 2028 15th-round pick as well as a conditional 2028 second, third and fourth round pick. 

Valentini played for the Chicago Steel in the USHL last season. He ended the year fifth in rookie scoring with 17 goals and 22 assists in 58 games played. He also played for Canada White and the U-17 World Hockey Challenge, where he showed incredible skill and poise, scoring four goals and adding five assists in just five games. 

It is quite likley that the major motivator behind Valentini going to the USHL was his desire to play NCAA hockey. His commitment to Michigan speaks to this and so does his lack of appearance at Brampton's camp. However, he made the decision before the NCAA rule change making CHL Players eligible to join the NCAA. 

It is equally likely that he joins Kitchener now because of those very same rule changes. It's a win-win situation in which Kitchener gets an elite player, and Valentini gets to grow his game against the top competition in North America. 

19 OHL Players Invited To NHL Scouting Combine The 2025 NHL Scouting Combine started on Monday. A total of 19 of the OHL's top draft eligible players were invited to the combine ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. 

This moves makes an already strong Kitchener roster stronger. By adding at the top of their lineup they will strengthen their depth. Head Coach Jussi Ahokas and his team went to the Western Conference Finals this past season despite many believing they would take a step back. 

Valentini will have the opportunity to help Kitchener continue their winning ways come next season.

"It's an honour to play for a first-class organization like the Kitchener Rangers who are committed to excellence," said Valentini. "They've built a really strong team and culture with top rated coaches that share my cision, which made the decision an easy one."