Kitchener, Ont. – Kitchener Rangers forward Francesco Pinelli has been recalled to the LA Kings from the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League, the Kings announced Thursday.
Pinelli, 20, was the Rangers’ first-round (13th overall) pick in the 2019 OHL Priority Selection and has spent the last four seasons in Kitchener. The Stoney Creek ON, native was named the club’s 57th Captain in 2021. He was selected by the LA Kings in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft (42nd overall).
This past season he recorded a career-high 90 points, including 41 goals and 49 assists, in 60 games. He played a critical role for Kitchener during the OHL Playoffs by scoring 7 points in 6 games, leading the Rangers to an upset over the top-seeded Windsor Spitfires. Pinelli led the Ontario Hockey League during the regular season with five short-handed goals and led the league during the 2023 Playoffs with three SH goals. He was also named the team’s Most Valuable Player for 2022-23.
The Kings host the Edmonton Oilers for Game 6 of their First Round series this Saturday, April 29, at Crypto.com Arena. The NHL will announce the start time in the coming days. The Edmonton Oilers currently lead the series 3-2.
