Romani has committed to play at Michigan State University for the 2025-26 season. After wrapping up his fourth and final season in the Ontario Hockey League, Romani decided to take the NCAA route for the next step in his development. He is expected to attend the Canucks’ 2025 Development Camp after the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, then he will head to Michigan State to prepare for the 2025-26 season.

After his slow start in Barrie, Romani played a big part in the team’s success in the final part of the regular season and run in the playoffs. He finished his regular season with 19 goals and 29 points in 30 games. In the postseason, Romani was the driving force for the Colts and their offensive success. He had a staggering 12 goals and 24 points, both of which led the team. He also had 68 shots, which was second in the entire OHL. Romani’s offensive potential makes him hard to pass on in terms of a contract, but the Canucks may be inclined to put pen to paper in the fall.

Romani was traded to the Barrie Colts in January while still on the shelf with his clavicle injury. Since returning from injury and joining fellow Canucks prospect Riley Patterson, Romani has found some challenges. Production-wise, he has only produced five points in 12 games. The good news is that each of Romani’s five points has been a goal, and he has 39 shots, showing that his offensive instincts and goal-scoring tendencies remain a significant part of his game. His skating still needs to be touched up, but his offensive play should boost Barrie as they sit atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Romani’s stats haven’t jumped off the page as much as last year, but he has showcased his game at a high level. Through six games, Romani still has his patented quick release, and while fewer shots have found the back of the net, it is still a threat at any time. He has also featured his improved playmaking with three assists. He’s found a way to complement his great shot and create opportunities for teammates by creatively using space. Romani could benefit from improved north-south skating as the season progresses, though his playmaking and instincts in the offensive zone make him a threat. Unfortunately, Romani suffered a broken clavicle on October 11 against Erie, putting his strong season on pause. An exact timeline for Romani’s recovery has not been provided, so it is unclear how long he will be on the shelf.

Vancouver has drafted Romani in the sixth round, 162nd overall.

Romani’s production this year is a great case study of how much of a difference a translatable skill can make at the junior level. Passed over in the 2023 NHL Draft due to his defensive and physical games failing to move the needle, Romani has returned this season like a man on a mission, scoring 58 goals and adding 53 assists for 111 points in only 68 games with the North Bay Battalion. The main difference between last season and this year has been Romani’s defensive improvements and puck-protection mechanics. He’s become nearly impossible to knock off pucks and has started blending his pre-existing intelligent passing and heavy shot with great forechecking and cycle work. The offensive tools haven’t improved much, but Romani has surrounded them with translatable tools that allow him to get more puck touches in dangerous areas. He’s worth a pick-up this time around.