Canucks Sixth-Round Pick Gabriel Chiarot Emerging as Potential Hidden Gem
Vancouver Canucks forward prospect Gabriel Chiarot has taken an unconventional path to becoming one of the organization's most intriguing young players. Selected 175th overall in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old has quickly demonstrated why the Canucks moved to sign him to an entry-level contract shortly after training camp concluded in September.
From Longshot to Sought-After OHL Talent
Chiarot's rapid development became particularly evident in late December when the Kitchener Rangers executed a significant trade to acquire him from the Brampton Steelheads. The Rangers surrendered eight OHL Draft selections plus the rights to University of Michigan forward Adam Valentini to secure Chiarot's services, signaling their belief in his ability to contribute to their championship aspirations this season.
"The Canucks had already invited me to their development camp if I didn't end up getting picked, so I knew that they were interested before the draft," Chiarot revealed. "There were a few other teams that I talked to, so I wasn't quite sure how things might work out, but obviously I'm happy now."
Playing Style and Development Philosophy
Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 191 pounds, Chiarot describes himself as a power forward who patterns his game after former NHL star Dustin Byfuglien. While Byfuglien's physical play against former Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo during Vancouver's rivalry with the Chicago Blackhawks remains a sore spot for some Vancouver fans, Chiarot admires the retired defenseman's combination of physicality and offensive ability.
"They told me at the start of the year to just keep playing my game, because that's why they signed me," Chiarot explained regarding his conversations with Canucks development staff. "They told me not to focus too much on production and how many points I'm getting, as long as I'm playing the way I can, which is being that power forward. That's what they want me to do."
Chiarot's statistical production supports his evolving game. He recorded 21 goals and 35 points in 66 games with Brampton last season and has contributed 17 goals and 28 points in 39 games split between the Steelheads and Rangers during the current campaign.
Family Connections and Professional Guidance
The young forward benefits from a unique family connection to the NHL. His cousin, Ben Chiarot, is a 34-year-old defenseman currently in his 13th NHL season with the Detroit Red Wings. The elder Chiarot followed a similar developmental path as a fourth-round pick who worked his way through minor league systems before establishing himself as an NHL regular.
"Ben was in kind of the same boat as me. He was a fourth-rounder, and wasn't considered a high prospect when he started," Gabriel noted. "He played in the East Coast and the AHL before he found a home in the NHL, and ever since then he has stuck. He's got a pretty good story behind him. It's always encouraging to hear about what he's done. It motivates me."
The two train together during summers alongside other professional players including former Canuck Tanner Pearson and Logan Stanley, providing Gabriel with valuable insight into the lifestyle and demands of professional hockey.
Transition to a Contending Team
Chiarot's move from Brampton to Kitchener represents a significant shift in team context. The Steelheads currently sit ninth in the OHL's 10-team Eastern Conference with a 13-25-3-2 record, while the Rangers hold second place in the Western Conference at 28-11-3-1 and are clearly positioning themselves for a Memorial Cup run.
"It's exciting for sure, but it's also a little sad. I've played with some of the guys on Brampton for awhile now," Chiarot acknowledged. "It sucks to leave them, but it's super exciting to join a contending team like Kitchener."
The familiarity with Kitchener associate coach and associate general manager Jeff Kyrzakos, who held the same roles with Brampton when Chiarot joined that organization two seasons ago, helped facilitate the transition.
Kitchener's Championship Ambitions
Kitchener's acquisition of Chiarot represents just one piece of their aggressive approach to building a championship roster. The Rangers made another significant move ahead of the OHL trade deadline, acquiring Canada world junior team forward Sam O'Reilly and defenseman Jared Woolley from the London Knights in exchange for a player and ten draft picks.
With the Memorial Cup scheduled for Kelowna this spring, Chiarot recognizes the added significance of competing for a national championship on the West Coast, closer to his NHL organization's home base.
"We have to play heavy, fast and hard, and that's what our team is built around," Chiarot emphasized regarding Kitchener's approach to the remainder of the season.
The Long Road Ahead for Sixth-Round Picks
Despite his promising trajectory, Chiarot understands the historical challenges facing sixth-round selections. No players from the 2024 or 2023 NHL Draft sixth rounds have appeared in an NHL game to date, while only three from the 2022 class have seen action—two of them for just a single game.
The most recent Canucks sixth-round pick to reach the NHL is goaltender Arturs Silovs, drafted in 2019. Chiarot's early signing and subsequent trade value within the OHL suggest he may be positioning himself to beat those historical odds as he continues developing his power-forward game under the watchful eyes of both Kitchener's coaching staff and Vancouver's player development team.
