Two new faces have been added to the Sarnia Sting roster.
The team has acquired a new defenceman and forward from the Mississauga Steelheads - Ethan Del Mastro and Luca Del Bel Belluz.
“Both Del Mastro and Del Bel Belluz are elite players in our league. Ethan recently won two world junior medals and knows what it takes to be a champion. We are excited to add both young men into our group,” said Sarnia Sting General Manager Dylan Seca.
Del Mastro and Del Bel Belluz are both National Hockey League (NHL) prospects.
Hailing from Freelton, Ontario, 19-year-old Del Mastro stands 6 feet and 4 inches tall and weighs 206 pounds. He was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round, 105th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The left-shooting defenceman played 22 games this season, scoring two goals and making 19 assists.
Del Mastro just returned from the east coast after representing Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championships. Sting Head Coach Alan Letang and Goaltender Ben Gaudreau were also part of the national team. Del Mastro was an alternate captain for the champion national team.
Also 19-years-old, Del Bel Belluz is a 6 ‘1, 178 pound forward from Woodbridge, Ontario. He was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the second round, 44th overall in the NHL Entry Draft last spring.
Del Bel Belluz had a strong draft year, playing 68 games, recording 30 goals and 76 points overall. In his most recent season, Del Bel Belluz played 34 games with the Steelheads, scoring 20 goals and making 21 assists.
The new players were traded in exchange for two of Sarnia Sting’s forwards - Peter Martone and Angus MacDonell.
“It was a very difficult decision to let Angus and Porter go. They are both outstanding young men who have been excellent members of our organization and community,” Seca said.
This exchange was made ahead of the OHL trade deadline which falls on Tuesday at noon.