Cleveland Monsters Catch Fire Post-All-Star Break, Led by Del Bel Belluz and a Deepening Roster
The NHL may be on pause for the Winter Olympics in Milan, but the AHL is back in full force - and the Cleveland Monsters are making the most of it. Fresh off their All-Star break, the Monsters are rolling, riding the momentum of a Pennsylvania sweep that saw them take down both the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
This isn’t just a hot streak - it’s a full-on surge. Cleveland has gone 8-1-1 over its last 10 games and sits at 12-4-2 since flipping the calendar to 2026.
That’s not a soft stretch either. Four of those six losses came against the Eastern Conference’s top dogs, Providence and Laval.
And tucked into that run? A road win in Grand Rapids - arguably the toughest building to steal two points in this season.
Back in early January, the Monsters were hovering around the break-even mark at 13-11-4-1. Now, they’re sitting at 25-15-6-1, good for third in their division and very much in the playoff picture in a packed Eastern Conference. This week offers another test: a midweek rematch in Grand Rapids, followed by a home doubleheader against the Toronto Marlies at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday and Saturday.
Let’s break down what’s fueling this run - and why the Monsters might just be playing their best hockey of the season.
Luca Del Bel Belluz: The Engine of the Offense
When you talk about Cleveland’s success, the conversation starts with Luca Del Bel Belluz. The 2026 AHL All-Star is doing what top-line centers are supposed to do: drive play, produce consistently, and tilt the ice in his team’s favor.
Del Bel Belluz enters the week with 40 points in 35 games, including 13 goals. He’s riding an eight-game point streak and has found the scoresheet in nine of his last 10. That includes three goals and four multi-point games - a testament to just how dialed in he’s been.
What’s really stood out is his growth on the power play. After scoring eight power-play goals all of last season, he’s already at seven this year - with 25 games still to go.
When the Monsters need a big goal, they’re looking to No. 10.
The Blue Jackets’ relative health has allowed Del Bel Belluz to settle into a rhythm in Cleveland, but that could change quickly after the Olympic break. He’s firmly on the short list of call-up candidates should Columbus need reinforcements. And with the NHL trade deadline looming, his name is likely coming up in conversations around the league.
He’s still just 22, plays a premium position, and has shown he can handle both center and wing in NHL stints. The Blue Jackets are deep down the middle with Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli anchoring the top six, and Charlie Coyle’s contract situation is one to watch.
If Columbus stands pat, Del Bel Belluz could get another look on the wing. But if GM Don Waddell sees a chance to upgrade the NHL roster without moving a first-round pick, teams are going to ask about Del Bel Belluz.
For now, though, he’s focused on leading the Monsters - and he’s doing it at a career-best level.
Supporting Cast Stepping Up
Del Bel Belluz may be the headliner, but he’s far from alone. Cleveland’s depth has been a major factor in their recent success.
Mikael Pyyhtia has found another gear. He’s scored in back-to-back games and has eight points in his last seven.
With 11 goals and 32 points in just 34 games, he’s already set new career highs in the AHL. He’s playing with confidence and giving the Monsters another dangerous option up front.
Luca Pinelli continues to make an impact, even as his shooting percentage cools off. He’s still third on the team in scoring with 31 points and has earned more trust in key moments. For a young player, that’s a big step.
And here’s a fun trivia nugget: Who leads the Monsters in shots on goal this season? If you said Corson Ceulemans, you’re paying attention.
The blueliner has 103 shots - one more than Pinelli - and is up to eight goals and 20 points on the year. That’s already a personal best offensively, and more importantly, it reflects his growing confidence and assertiveness in the offensive zone.
Ceulemans’ development hasn’t followed the typical first-round pick trajectory, but the Blue Jackets’ patience is paying off. He’s making a strong case to compete for an NHL roster spot in the near future.
Jack Williams: The Trusted Rookie
Another name worth highlighting is Jack Williams, who’s quietly become one of the Monsters’ most reliable forwards in his first full AHL season. He’s got nine goals and 25 points, good for fourth on the team, and he’s earning praise for his two-way game.
Blue Jackets exec Rick Nash recently singled him out, noting how much the coaching staff trusts him in all situations. That kind of praise isn’t handed out lightly, especially for a rookie. Williams’ ability to play a responsible, 200-foot game while still contributing offensively bodes well for his NHL future.
Goaltending Trending Up
In net, Ivan Fedotov has had an up-and-down season, but the arrow is pointing in the right direction. He’s now 17-9-4 with a 2.85 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage. The numbers may not jump off the page, but he’s been steady when it counts, and his recent form suggests he’s settling in as the Monsters’ go-to guy down the stretch.
Coaching Stability Paying Off
Head coach Trent Vogelhuber deserves credit for keeping the team steady through the early-season turbulence. When injuries hit the Blue Jackets, Cleveland became a revolving door of call-ups. But now, with the NHL roster mostly healthy, the Monsters have found their identity - and they’re playing with confidence and cohesion.
With a playoff spot in reach and a roster full of players pushing for NHL roles, the second half of the season is shaping up to be a fascinating ride for the Monsters. If they keep this pace, they won’t just make the playoffs - they’ll be a team no one wants to face once they get there.