Luca Del Bel Belluz has been on this list for a little while now. Since debuting on our 2022 summer top prospects list ranked at #8, he has slowly climbed up a few spots, and now sits inside the top five again, moving up one spot to #4. However, it's time for him to leave this list.
The top prospects list was compiled by a collective ranking from all of the writers at Union and Blue: Matthew Duffey, Mike Stump, Weston Motz, Struan McNevan, and Curtis Deem. We only include players 24 years and under, with fewer than 25 NHL games. Stats are from the previous season, in the league where each player spent the most time. Projections are based on top-end upside.
Top Prospect #4: C Luca Del Bel Belluz
How we ranked him: Curtis, Mike, Weston, Struan (4); Matthew (6). Last year, Del Bel Belluz was ranked #5 on this list.
Luca Del Bel Belluz has been a consensus top-ten organizational prospect since he was drafted from the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL back in 2022. He was seen as a player without much flash to his game, but was a well-rounded player with offensive upside.
After spending another season in junior hockey, he quickly made the jump to the professional level, joining the Cleveland Monsters for the 2023-24 season. Having played three full seasons there (with brief NHL stints here and there), he is fourth all-time in both goals and points in team history.
It wasn't a spectacular start for the Canadian center, as he scored just nine goals and 31 points in his first season with the team. He hadn't built up a lot of confidence yet, but maintained his two-way game and was a consistent presence in the middle-six there.
His last two seasons have been rather similar, with some improvement this most recent year. He scored 58 points in 55 games last season, and 53 in 61 the year before. He has also been named an AHL All-Star both years, showing his recognition around the league.
As a prospect, the 22-year-old is mature, with offense that has dominated the minors while maintaining solid defense and showing decent physicality. He isn't too flashy or creative, but is a smart and accurate passer with an underrated shot and goal-scoring ability, including this rocket to finish off a hat trick in a game late in the season.
the one you've been waiting for 🎩 🎩 🎩
— Cleveland Monsters (@monstershockey) March 19, 2026
🚨: Del Bel Belluz
🍎: Pinelli pic.twitter.com/Ke9SsRsV1I
There really isn't much more for him to do or prove in the AHL, which is why his production has been slightly stagnant, although very high, over the past two years.
Because of his success with the Monsters over the last two years, Del Bel Belluz earned 29 games with the Blue Jackets, although the results between the two have been drastically different.
In the 2024-25 season, he played 15 games and scored 8 points while looking confident, smart, and poised, especially for his age. He drew a lot of attention to himself and earned a lot of support, although he was eventually returned to Cleveland.
While it wasn't anything crazy, it was a solid taste of what he could do at the highest level, despite perhaps needing just a little more development, and the Blue Jackets not really having an open spot for him in the lineup.
This past year, he played 14 games, but just had one assist. While he didn't look bad, he simply wasn't the same player that he was in his last NHL stint, or the AHL for that matter. It was an important opportunity to force the Jackets' hand into getting him more playing time, but he didn't take advantage.
Pros: Polished game, IQ, passing, underrated goal-scoring
Cons: Average size, lack of creativity
Projection: Top-nine two-way center with offensive upside
I think that Del Bel Belluz is an extremely valuable prospect, and in no way am I trying to say otherwise. It can be difficult to excel under pressure and during change, but that's exactly what Jet Greaves was able to do, and look where he is now.
Regardless, it's time for the 6'1, 185-pound center to prove that he has NHL-level talent. We've seen it across three seasons in the minors, and in a handful of games in the pros, but now he needs to show that he can produce in a consistent role with Columbus.
With the Blue Jackets losing a couple of forwards to free agency and Isac Lundestrom on injured reserve to start the year, Del Bel Belluz should finally have a real shot to not only have an established role, but to make the opening night roster.
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