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FN Draft Profiles: Adam Valentini contributed to a strong Michigan team as a 17-year-old
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
The hockey world was turned on its ear last fall when the NCAA relaxed its previous restriction on Canadian major junior players being eligible to play in college hockey. As a result, we saw an influx of new faces into college pipeline, including several underage players – players that weren’t yet “true” 18-year-old freshmen.
One of the most prominent and exciting underclassmen in 2025-26 was University of Michigan forward Adam Valentini.
What do scouts think of Adam Valentini?
A product of Toronto, Ontario, Valentini is a left shot forward, primarily a winger, listed at 5’11” and 185 pounds. He’s an April 2008 birthday, meaning he played his entire freshman season before turning 18.
Valentini plied his trade in Ontario minor hockey, playing in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) with the Mississauga Senators and Toronto Marlboros. He was named the GTHL’s Player of the Year in 2023-24. He moved onto the United States Hockey League in 2024-25, playing for the Chicago Steel in his 16-year-old season and tying for the team lead in points. On a per-game basis, he was 5th among under-17 skaters, behind Tynan Lawrence, J.P. Hurlbert, Blake Zielinski and Yegor Shilov.
He also represented Canada White at the Under-17 Hockey Challenge, leading the tournament in scoring and capturing a gold medal.
Valentini committed to the University of Michigan in July 2024 and joined the Wolverines as a 17-year-old freshman in 2025-26. He also represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the Under-18 World Championships.
In his recent draft rankings, Sportsnet and Pro Hockey Group’s Jason Bukala broke down Valentini’s freshman year:
Valentini is another prospect who chose to go the NCAA route in his draft year. He produced 11G-16A in 40 games with Michigan and ended his season representing Canada in an elevated role at the U18s. Valentini contributed 3G-2A for Canada in five games. He’s active on and off the puck and engaged around the crease.
Over at Daily Faceoff, Steven Ellis had this scouting report in his May rankings:
From a pure skill perspective, Valentini is tremendous. Valentini is so energetic that he can chase the whole game without losing much pace. He can be a bit of a pain in the ass around the net because you can almost never keep up with his footwork. I like how his game has progressed in college, but he needs to add more muscle. With the puck, though, Valentini brings so much to the table. I’m not worried about his ability to create damage with the puck on his stick. But is he versatile enough? Is he too small? Always bet high on skill.
How did Adam Valentini produce offensively in 2025-26?
In 40 NCAA games, before his 18th birthday, Valentini had 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points. Valentini was one of five under-18 skaters in the NCAA in 2025-26. He led the quintet in games played, goals, assists and points. He played a mixture of second and third line left wing for Michigan.
Valentini also had five points in five games for Canada at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the Under-18 World Championships.
Could Adam Valentini be a fit for the Calgary Flames?
The Flames need guys that can generate offence. As a 17-year-old, Valentini was able to generate offence in the NCAA against oodles of guys much older and bigger than him. If you look at his body of work in the GTHL and the USHL and the NCAA, it certainly suggests there’s upside yet to be found there. You have to imagine the Flames would be excited to add someone with his potential to the fold. He was also teammates with Flames prospect Henry Mews at Michigan, so perhaps the Flames have unique insights into his game.
In terms of availability, Valentini has occasionally appeared late in the first round of public draft rankings, but he more frequently appears in the early second round. The Flames have several second-rounders at their disposal, including two early second-rounders, so he could very much be in their wheelhouse at the draft.
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