![\"Lucas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Lucas-Ambrosio-Otters-2-1200x1025.jpg\")
Lucas Ambrosio, Erie Otters (Natalie Shaver\/OHL Images)<\/p>\nLucas Ambrosio<\/p>\n
2025-26 Team: Erie Otters (OHL)
Date of Birth: Jan. 06, 2008
Place of Birth: Mississauga, Ontario
Ht: 6-ft-4 Wt: 190 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: Defenseman
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible<\/p>\n
Rankings<\/p>\n
In a draft class that is set to be stacked with defensive talent, Lucas Ambrosio will be seen as one of the lower-tier defenders available when the floor opens on June 26. Sure, he may not have the same talent as players like Ryan Lin, Carson Carels, or Daxon Rudolph, but Ambrosio brings a lot of good strengths to his game that NHL teams should look into.<\/p>\n
This season, Ambrosio played for a struggling Erie Otters team that failed to qualify for the OHL Playoffs. But with a team that was not loaded with talent came a lot of opportunity for him. He was playing on the team\u2019s top power-play and penalty-kill units. He was tasked to play big minutes for the team at a relatively young age.<\/p>\n
Lucas Ambrosio, Erie Otters (Natalie Shaver\/OHL Images)<\/p>\n
His offensive numbers don\u2019t jump out at you, with him only recording 20 points in 64 games, but there are many things off the score sheet that he does well. For a player as tall as he is, he is a pretty smooth skater and has a very good first pass out of the defensive zone. Along with those traits, he is very responsible in his own end, and breaks up passes and finds ways to get the puck out of his zone to limit chances.<\/p>\n
These traits took to the liking of Hockey Canada, and he was invited to play for his home country at the U18 Men\u2019s World Hockey Championship, where he had the chance to play with many of the best Canadians from his age group.<\/p>\n
A problem that I see with Ambrosio is that nothing he does really jumps out at you; he does a lot of things well, but nothing really wows you and gets you out of your seat. Nothing wrong with that, but that is the big reason why he is not projected to be taken very high in this draft.<\/p>\n
Other THW Draft Profiles<\/p>\n
Lucas Ambrosio \u2014 NHL Draft Projection<\/p>\n
With a draft class as loaded on the defensive side of the ice as this one, Ambrosio is bound to get lost in the shuffle. His 6-foot-4 frame is sure to have teams interested, but taking him in the first two rounds will be a reach. I see him being taken in the third or even fourth round, as he still has a lot more aspects of his game to develop compared to some of his peers.<\/p>\n
Quotables<\/p>\n
\u201cWith good size at 6\u20194\u201d, Ambrosio is a physical defender who can lay the boom. His defensive results have been a mixed bag for the Otters this season, but it is hard to blame him with the league\u2019s weakest roster. He has the tools to be a plus defender with his size and skating, but he will likely be a bit of a project developmentally.\u00a0\u201d \u2013 Inside the Rink<\/a><\/p>\n Strengths<\/p>\n Skating<\/p>\n Physicality<\/p>\n First pass<\/p>\n Size<\/p>\n Under Construction<\/p>\n Shot<\/p>\n Speed<\/p>\n Offensive output<\/p>\n NHL Potential<\/p>\n Ambrosio has the tools to be an NHL hockey player. Will he be a top-pairing guy? I don\u2019t see that right now. But what I do see is a player that can be in your defensive core and be used in serious defensive situations. Someone that you can trust on your penalty kill and get the puck out of your zone when the other team is pressing. He can also be a player who throws his body around and gets into the occasional fight to send a message.<\/p>\n Risk-Reward Analysis<\/p>\n Risk \u2013 2.5\/5, Reward \u2013 3\/5<\/p>\n Fantasy Hockey Potential<\/p>\n Offence \u2013 5\/10, Defence \u2013 8\/10<\/p>\n Awards\/Achievements<\/p>\n U17 WHC Silver Medal<\/p>\n Participant in the OHL Top Prospect Challenge<\/p>\n Interviews\/Profile Links<\/p>\n Lucas Ambrosio Statistics<\/p>\n Videos<\/p>\n Late game heroics for the Otters!<\/p>\n Lucas Ambrosio picks the perfect time to score his first of the season for the @ErieOtters<\/a> as his late goal stands as the game winner!@FloHockey<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Djikb5LZCt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 30, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Ambrosio strikes first!!1\u20e3\ud83e\udda6<\/p>\n 2024 second round #OHL<\/a> draft pick, Lucas Ambrosio netted his first career goal to put the @ErieOtters<\/a> on the board early!@CHLHockey<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/lIDs44aart<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 17, 2024<\/a> <\/p>\n WHAT A SHOT BY AMBROSIO\ud83c\udfaf@ErieOtters<\/a> Rookie defender Lucas Ambrosio scored his third of the season in style Monday night, tucking this puck right under the crossbar and earning the #BestofOHL<\/a> clip of the night!\ud83e\udda6\ud83d\ude0e#OHLxMilkUP<\/a> | @OntarioDairy<\/a> | @CHLHockey<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TJFjnD3mZe<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) February 25, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Free Newsletter<\/p>\n \n Get NHL Entry Draft coverage delivered to your inbox <\/p>\n In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes – free.<\/p>\n