The Extension That Matters
The Winnipeg Jets have re-signed Gabe Vilardi to a six-year, $45 million contract ($7.5 million AAV). For a team in transition, it’s a defining move. This wasn’t just about retention—it was about belief. Vilardi’s play has earned him a key role in the Jets’ top six, and this deal signals his place in their long-term plans.
Top Picks, Big Futures — April 2015
From left to right: Owen Tippett (2nd overall, Mississauga Steelheads), David Levin (1st overall, Sudbury Wolves), and Gabe Vilardi (2nd overall, Windsor Spitfires) pose together on OHL Priority Selection Day at the OHL offices in Scarborough, ON. Each player entered the league with sky-high expectations — and the first steps of a journey that would lead them to the NHL . Photo: Aaron Bell/OHL Images.
Warren Rychel on Picking a Star
Vilardi entered the OHL with big expectations. As the second overall pick in the 2015 OHL Priority Selection, he joined a Windsor Spitfires team under the sharp eye of GM Warren Rychel, who was building a contender.
“We’re extremely pleased to get Gabe in the fold. He has a bright future as a Spitfire and he’ll be a special player for years to come,” Rychel said at the time.
Years later, Rychel reflected on Vilardi’s makeup: “Hockey rat. Never comes off the ice. Strongest CHL player from offensive circles down.”
A Hockey Family
Gabe wasn’t the first Vilardi to play in the OHL. His older brother, Francesco, skated with both the Flint Firebirds and Sudbury Wolves. Gabe followed close behind—learning, watching, and soaking it all in. Even then, those close to the game recognized that the younger Vilardi had something special.
Memorial Cup Champion
Gabe helped deliver on Rychel’s blueprint in 2017, powering the Spitfires to a Memorial Cup championship on home ice. He stepped up on the biggest stage of his junior career, showing a calm, creative presence with the puck and poise in tight scoring situations.
Kingston Homecoming
In 2018, he was traded to his hometown Kingston Frontenacs. It wasn’t just a change of scenery—it was a chance to reset. Vilardi responded with 22 goals and 58 points in just 32 regular-season games, then added another 11 goals and 22 points in 16 playoff contests. It was his most dominant stretch in junior hockey and a reminder of the upside that made him a first-round NHL pick.
Growth in the Pros
Drafted 11th overall by the LA Kings in 2017, Vilardi’s transition to the NHL wasn’t smooth. Injuries stalled his momentum. Expectations mounted. But he kept working. His hockey IQ, stick skills, and commitment to improving never wavered. When he was traded to Winnipeg as part of the Pierre-Luc Dubois deal, it was seen as a fresh start.
He took full advantage.
In 2024–25, Vilardi posted a career-high 27 goals and 61 points. He added four more points in nine playoff games and showed he could hang in the pressure moments.
Why Winnipeg Locked Him In
“I’ve been here two years now and I love it in Winnipeg,” Vilardi said after the new deal. “I think the opportunity for us to win in our window here of four or five years is something I’m very excited about and I want to be a part of.”
He added: “I love Winnipeg. It’s a great spot. It feels like home to me. The fans, the team, the organization—everyone has been super kind, welcoming. Pretty easy decision.”
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff backed it up: “His work ethic, his consistency, and his ability to perform in key moments have made a big impact on this team.”
This Is What Development Looks Like
From top OHL pick… to Memorial Cup champion… to a hometown leader in Kingston… to a top-six NHL forward with a multi-year contract—Vilardi’s path hasn’t been easy, but it’s been real. He’s battled injuries, doubts, and pressure. And he’s come out stronger.
“I believe in our group,” Vilardi said. “This past year we obviously showed what we’re capable of. I want to be a part of that and I think we can accomplish that.”
One of Many Junior Stars in Junior Hockey Giants
Gabe Vilardi is just one of the many junior hockey standouts featured in my new book, Junior Hockey Giants: Road to the NHL—a deep look at the players who rose through the CHL ranks and carved out their place in the pros. It drops this week at HockeyDocs.com.
