You’ve probably seen the name popping up on ticker tapes or scrolling through AHL box scores and thought, "That's a mouthful." Honestly, Luca Del Bel Belluz sounds more like a high-end fashion designer than a gritty hockey player. But if you’ve been watching the Columbus Blue Jackets or the Cleveland Monsters lately, you know there is a lot of substance behind those six syllables.
He’s not just a prospect with a cool name. He’s becoming a problem for opposing coaches.
The 22-year-old center has been on a wild ride between the AHL and the NHL recently. It’s that classic "too good for the minors, still finding his legs in the bigs" scenario. Basically, he’s a hockey nomad right now, racking up miles on I-71 between Cleveland and Columbus.
The AHL All-Star Leap
Just this week, Del Bel Belluz was named an AHL All-Star. That isn't just a participation trophy. In Cleveland, he’s been absolutely tearing it up. As of mid-January 2026, he’s sitting on 46 goals and 62 assists for 108 career points with the Monsters. That actually puts him 13th all-time in Cleveland history. Think about that for a second. He's 22 and already climbing the historic ranks of a franchise.
He’s a point-per-game guy at that level. In the 2025-26 season alone, he’s put up 24 points in 22 games for the Monsters.
But why isn't he a permanent fixture in Columbus yet?
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It’s complicated. The NHL is a different beast. While he’s a wizard in the AHL, the Blue Jackets have been using him mostly in emergency recall situations. He’s played 13 games for Columbus this season, but he only has one assist to show for it. His ice time has been hovering around the nine-minute mark. It's tough to produce when you’re playing fourth-line minutes and trying not to make a mistake that gets you sent back to Cleveland.
What scouts actually see (The "Lemonade" Theory)
If you read the old scouting reports from when he was drafted 44th overall in 2022, there was one major red flag: skating.
His stride was described as "choppy" and "awkwardly wide." Usually, that’s a death sentence for a center in the modern NHL. If you can’t skate, you can’t play. Period. But Del Bel Belluz is sort of a weird outlier. He’s figured out how to turn lemons into lemonade.
Instead of trying to outrace Connor McDavid, he’s leaned into being a high-IQ, off-puck mover. He has these "silky hands"—the kind that make goalies look silly in tight spaces. He’s become a net-front specialist who survives on smarts rather than raw speed.
The Del Bel Belluz Toolkit:
- Elite Hand-Eye Coordination: He tips pucks like he’s practicing in his driveway.
- Puck Poise: He doesn't panic. He’ll hold the puck an extra half-second to let a lane open up.
- Defensive Growth: Early on, he was a bit of a liability. Now? He’s blocking shots and playing a more "pro" game. He actually had 10 blocked shots in his brief 11-game stint with Columbus earlier this season.
The Columbus Carousel
The Blue Jackets are in a weird spot. They just named Rick Bowness as their new head coach after parting ways with Dean Evason. When a new coach comes in, everything resets. For a guy like Luca, this is either a massive opportunity or a total roadblock.
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Bowness is known for demanding defensive accountability. If Del Bel Belluz wants to stick, he has to prove he can play the "Bones" style.
He’s currently back in Cleveland after being loaned on December 23, 2025. It’s a bit of a numbers game. With guys like Boone Jenner and Sean Monahan healthy, there just isn't a top-nine spot open for a finesse center who is still learning the ropes.
But here’s the thing: injuries happen. Every year. And every time the Blue Jackets need a spark, Luca is the first person they call.
Is he a "Bust" or a "Slow Burn"?
People get impatient with prospects. If you aren't a superstar by 21, some fans want to trade you for a third-round pick and a bag of pucks. That’s a mistake here.
Del Bel Belluz is a "late-born" 2003. He’s still physically maturing. At 6'1" and 185 pounds, he’s got the frame, but he needs that "man strength" to win battles against the monsters of the Metropolitan Division.
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His AHL stats suggest he has a top-six ceiling. You don't lead the AHL in points (which he did at stages last year) by accident. The production is there. The intelligence is there. The only thing missing is the consistency at the highest level.
What to watch for next
If you're a fantasy hockey owner or just a die-hard Jackets fan, keep an eye on the trade deadline. If Columbus moves a veteran forward, a permanent spot opens up for Luca.
Actionable Insights for Following His Career:
- Track the Power Play: If he gets called up and put on the second PP unit, his value skyrockets. He’s lethal from the hash marks.
- Watch the Plus/Minus: In Cleveland, he’s a +3. In Columbus, he’s struggled a bit. When that NHL number stabilizes, he’s ready.
- The Bowness Factor: Watch how many minutes he gets if he's recalled under the new coaching staff. If he's getting 12+ minutes, Bowness trusts him.
Luca Del Bel Belluz is basically the personification of the "process." He’s grinding, he’s scoring, and he’s waiting for the door to stay open for more than a week at a time. Don't let the emergency recalls fool you—this kid is a player.
Next time he's called up, don't just look at the jersey name. Watch how he moves without the puck. That’s where the real magic is happening.
Next Steps for You
Check the Cleveland Monsters schedule if you're in the Ohio area. Seeing him play in the AHL is a totally different experience than the NHL; he dominates the pace of the game. If you're tracking stats, look for his Faceoff Percentage (FO%). If he can get that above 50% consistently, he becomes indispensable as a bottom-six NHL center who can provide secondary scoring.