James Malatesta

James Malatesta (born May 31, 2003) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Cleveland Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL).

James Malatesta
Born	(2003-05-31) May 31, 2003 (age 21) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	191 lb (87 kg; 13 st 9 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team (P) Cur. team	Columbus Blue Jackets Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
NHL draft	133rd overall, 2021 Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career	2023–present

Personal life

Malatesta was born on May 31, 2003, in Montreal, Quebec^[1] to parents Roger and Linda.^[2]

Playing career

Malatesta played major junior hockey with the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) before he was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fifth-round, 133rd overall, of the 2021 NHL entry draft.^[3]

During his final junior season with the Remparts in 2022–23, Malatesta was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets on December 1, 2022.^[4]

International play

Malatesta was a member of Team Canada Black at the 2019 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, playing five games with three goals and three assists.^[5][1]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2018–19	Lac St-Louis Lions	QMAAA		22	7	5	12	52		16	11	12	23	24
2019–20	Quebec Remparts	QMJHL		59	23	22	45	29		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Quebec Remparts	QMJHL		32	10	13	23	12		6	3	1	4	2
2021–22	Quebec Remparts	QMJHL		68	28	25	53	49		12	5	3	8	14
2022–23	Quebec Remparts	QMJHL		55	37	29	66	64		18	14	6	20	16
2023–24	Cleveland Monsters	AHL		56	12	10	22	79		9	1	1	2	2
2023–24	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		11	2	2	4	5		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				11	2	2	4	5		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2019	Canada Black	U17	8th		5	3	3	6	14
Junior totals					5	3	3	6	14