A couple of OHL players returned to their respective club teams after attending the Vancouver Canucks training camp, but they are both coming back with NHL contracts.
On Sunday evening, the Vancouver Canucks made a round of cuts, assigning Gabriel Chiarot back to the Brampton Steelheads and Riley Patterson to his new OHL team, the Niagara IceDogs.
However, on Monday, the organization announced that the club had signed both forwards Patterson and Chiarot to three-year, entry-level contracts.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have agreed to terms with forwards Riley Patterson and Gabriel Chiarot on three-year, entry-level contracts.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 22, 2025
DETAILS | https://t.co/eDEQw2zmzhpic.twitter.com/VH7Y4ojM9J
Patterson, 19, was drafted 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft by the Canucks. Through two seasons with the Barrie Colts in the OHL, he’s put together back-to-back 25+ goal seasons (25,29), and has recorded 121 points (54 goals, 67 assists) in 132 regular season games.
The Colts had one of the deepest rosters in the OHL last season. Patterson recorded three fewer points than he did the previous year, but interestingly, he tied with the New York Islanders’ 2025 first-round pick, Kashawn Aitcheson, for the most points on the team, both finishing the season with 59 points.
Patterson didn’t report to Barrie’s training camp when it opened, as he had requested a trade, wanting a fresh start with a new OHL team. Barrie traded him to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for five draft picks in late August.
Chiarot, 19, had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday on the 17th at Vancouver’s training camp, and what better way to celebrate than by signing your first NHL contract.
The Hamilton, Ontario, native was selected 175th overall in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by Vancouver. Chiarot recorded 35 goals (21 goals, 14 assists) in 66 regular season games last year with the Brampton Steelheads.
Chiarot’s appeal is that he’s a 200-foot, diligent winger who has the drive to play at the professional level. He’s a dirty-area player. He battles well in the corners, wins puck battles, has a presence on the forecheck, and is fearless in attacking the front of the net. He’s a responsible player who makes contributions on both sides of the puck, despite showcasing a minimal playmaking skill set.
Now, Chiarot didn’t rack up the points last season in his draft year, but he looked very impressive in three OHL pre-season games, recording three goals and four assists.
The Steelheads are going to be a much weaker team this year compared to last year. Canucks prospect Chiarot will be expected to lead the way offensively on a nightly basis for his club.
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