Alessandro Di Iorio – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

Alessandro Di Iorio

2025–26 Team: Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Date of Birth: March 17, 2008
Place of Birth: Vaughan, ON, CAN
Height: 6-foot-1, Weight: 190 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Center
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

On paper, the 2026 NHL Draft seems to have one of the weaker center classes we’ve seen in recent years. That makes Alessandro Di Iorio an interesting player to watch. The Sarnia Sting captain hasn’t put up elite numbers this season, but he has the tools to put himself in the top-50 conversation.

Related: THW’s 2026 NHL Draft Guide

The Sting are 18–36–9 on the campaign and have been outscored by 82 goals, making them one of the worst teams in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Given these struggles, Di Iorio’s numbers are better than they look. With 12 goals and 19 assists in 44 contests, he is second on the team in points per game and within striking distance of first (0.70 vs. 0.73).

If you’re looking at his totals compared to his draft class, Di Iorio falls behind a bit. The top three in points per game of Nikita Klepov (1.42), Caleb Malhotra (1.31), and Adam Novotný (1.13) have the leg up. But there are still reasons for optimism.

What makes Di Iorio such a likable player? Well, for starters, you have the completeness of his game. He aids his defensemen in zone exits, makes sure the slot is always covered, and works hard to pressure and steal the puck from the opposition.

While not the type to throw crushing hits, Di Iorio is physically engaged. As he develops, he should be even more effective at winning battles using his body. For a player like him, this will be important.

Di Iorio’s transition game will play a significant role in his success at the next level, and he’s shown some promise in that department. He’s not fast enough to blow by defenders, at times getting stopped in his tracks once he carries the puck through the neutral zone. However, he is far from a bad skater, playing with the pace necessary for a do-it-all center. Plus, he has had a few dynamic end-to-end rushes.

Offensively, there are some things to like. Di Iorio is a creative and smart player, going out of his way to set up chances in high-danger areas. For instance, at the 1:09 mark of the video below, he (SAR17) elects not to pass the puck to the point and continue the cycle. Instead, he opts for a sneaky between-the-legs pass to his man skating toward the slot.

Some Alessandro Di Iorio clipspic.twitter.com/PnONC9z0qj

— Justin Giampietro (@justingiam) February 28, 2026

Additionally, Di Iorio is a plus shooter who takes advantage of space when it’s given to him. Combined with his smarts, he can be a real threat inside the offensive zone.

A reasonable downside of selecting Di Iorio in the 2026 NHL Draft—especially late in the first round or early in the second—is his ceiling. Without an elite trait at this stage, you’re hoping more for a solid, middle-of-the-lineup forward than a true star. But it’s too early to say that for sure.

Other THW Draft Profiles

Alessandro Di Iorio – NHL Draft Projection

Di Iorio plays a style that coaches and scouts can appreciate. He does the little things well and brings a complete game to the table. Expect the centerman to go around the 40s range, with the potential to go a little higher or a little lower.

Quotables

“He’s producing well early and could still break past the 65-point threshold before the season is over and done with. ADI is strong, but he can beat you with quick hands if he needs to. I also like that he can sneak into scoring lanes without much detection – he’s deceptive that way.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

“Di Iorio is a smart, two-way player. He can win puck battles at the junior level and while he has shown some willingness to get to middle ice, he could do it more often.” – Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet

“He can play out wide, and I’ve seen him pick corners from mid-range with his curl-and-drag wrister (he has a shooter’s shot and I expect him to score more this year) and facilitate with his good feel as a passer, but he’s also sneaky strong on stick lifts and willing to go to inside ice.” – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic (from ‘2026 NHL Draft prospects: Gavin McKenna leads Wheeler’s preliminary top 64 ranking,’ The Athletic, Nov. 6, 2025).

Beautiful end-to-end rush from Alessandro Di Iorio (SAR17) pic.twitter.com/8tXDCuVpyl

— Justin Giampietro (@justingiam) January 15, 2026