Another top prospect jumps to the NCAA, turns his back on OHL commitment

The OHL's Kitchener Rangers have announced that top prospect Adam Valentini has informed the team that he will not be playing for them this upcoming season and instead will play in the NCAA for the University of Michigan.

From Rangers GM Mike McKenzie:

I was informed today by the agent for Adam Valentini that Adam has chosen to revoke his commitment to play this season for the Kitchener Rangers and will instead by going to the University of Michigan.

Obviously, finding out one week before the beginning of our training camp that a signed player will not honour his commitment is not an ideal circumstance, but we are excited and focused on the upcoming season with the great group of players we have reporting to camp next week.

As a result of Adam's decision, the Rangers will not have to surrender the following draft picks to the Brampton Steelheads:

2nd Round pick 2028
3rd Round pick 2028
4th Round pick 2028

We intend to put those picks to good use to continue to build our hockey club not only for this season but also to strengthen our team and bid for the 2027 Memorial Cup.

The 17-year-old Valentini signed with the Rangers in June after having previously announced a verbal commitment to Michigan. Now it appears that he's going back on his commitment, once again.

Valentini joins players like Gavin McKenna (Penn State) and Keaton Verhoeff (North Dakota) in making the jump to the NCAA ahead of being eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.