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).

Personal life Malatesta was born on May 31, 2003, in Montreal, Quebec to parents Roger and Linda.

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.

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.

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.

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 — — — — — 2024–25 Cleveland Monsters AHL 41 8 6 14 49 6 1 0 1 10 2024–25 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2025–26 Cleveland Monsters AHL 57 10 8 18 87 1 0 0 0 0 NHL totals 13 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