The Brampton Steelheads have initiated their rebuild, as they were expected to heading into the 2025-26 season. Last season was their opportunity to make a run for an OHL title with Porter Martone, Carson Rehkopf, Luke Misa, and Jack Ivankovic at their disposal. With all four of those star players departing the team, it was inevitable that Head Coach and GM James Richmond would be open to selling off some of his star players. 

Monday evening, the Steelheads announced that they have traded away the team’s leading scorer, Gabriel Chiarot, to the Kitchener Rangers in exchange for a bucket load of draft picks. 

The Rangers add a big fish 👀 🐟

The @OHLRangers pick up #Canucks prospect Gabriel Chiarot from the @SteelheadsOHL as part of a multi-pick deal.

DETAILS 🗞️: https://t.co/pHGkH5ldI6pic.twitter.com/l8ET0nGNZo

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 29, 2025

Below are the full trade details:

Kitchener Rangers Receive:

RW, Gabriel Chiarot (2006) - 31GP, 15G, 10A, 25PTS

Brampton Steelheads Receive:

2027 2nd round pick (BRAM)
2028 2nd round pick
2028 3rd round pick
2029 3rd round pick
2028 4th round pick
2027 5th round pick
2029 8th round pick
2026 10th round pick
Rights to Adam Valentini

Chiarot, a Vancouver Canucks prospect, leads the Steelheads in goals (15) and points (25) on his way out. He’s a forward who Richmond utilizes in all facets of the game: penalty kill, power play, and defending a one-goal lead late. 

“We want to thank Gabe and his family for being great Steelheads over his years with us. He’s been a good teammate and easy to coach. Gabe’s work ethic and belief in the process has really paid off for him. This is a tough decision for our hockey club to make, but we believe it is the right one for both Gabe and the hockey club. We want to wish Cherry the very best moving forward and hope to see him in the NHL one day,” said Richmond.

But just like the Niagara IceDogs did with Kevin He the other day, when you have the opportunity to restock the draft cupboards and acquire eight draft picks, you do it. 

Chiarot signed an entry-level contract with the Canucks in September, and having a 2006 birthdate, he may be moving on to the professional level next season. But Kitchener Rangers GM Mike McKenzie is excited about adding the Hamilton, Ontario, native. 

“We are excited to add Gabriel to our group. He is a player we have coveted for a while and think he is the perfect fit for what our team needs. He plays a fast, fearless, and tenacious game. He will add a different element to our forward group that we feel we need to have success, especially in the playoffs,” said McKenzie.

A funny aspect of this trade is Brampton reacquiring the rights to Adam Valentini, who they originally drafted 13th overall in 2024. Because Valentini had an NCAA commitment to the University of Michigan and signed to play in the USHL for the Chicago Steel, the Steelheads traded away his rights to Kitchener back in September 2024. 

It appeared that Valentini was headed to the OHL to play out his NHL draft season with the Rangers after he signed with the club on June 6, 2025. However, two months later and one month away from training camp, Valentini chose to revoke his commitment with Kitchener and indeed go play for the Michigan Wolverines. 

It would be shocking if Valentini leaves the University of Michigan to come play for Brampton, as he has an impressive freshman campaign going on as a 17-year-old. 

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