Milano Hockey Club announces the signing of Italian-Canadian forward Diego Cuglietta for the 2026-27 win2day ICE Hockey League season. Cuglietta joins the rossoblù after four years in the Alps Hockey League split between Cortina and the Rittner Buam, totalling 96 goals and 128 assists in 172 appearances.
Born in Kamloops, British Columbia, on August 12, 1995, Cuglietta (180 cm, 80 kg, shoots left) is a centre capable of delivering dynamism, consistent forechecking and a constant offensive contribution. A complete profile, built step by step from the North American minors to the Italian rinks, now ready for the step up to the ICE.
After a junior career in the BCHL with the Merritt Centennials, Cuglietta moved to Michigan to attend Lake Superior State University — the same institution where hockey Milan legend Kim Gellert played in the 1970s. He closed his four university years with 50 goals and 50 assists in 147 appearances, earning a nomination for the 2019 Hobey Baker Award — the highest individual honour in US college hockey — and selection to the First Team All-WCHA.
His professional debut came in the summer of 2019 under an AHL contract with the Dallas Stars organization, with whom he took part in the Prospects Tournament — the traditional showcase for the top emerging talents across NHL franchises — before joining the Texas Stars in the AHL (26 appearances). His subsequent ECHL stint saw him total 85 appearances and 53 points across the Idaho Steelheads, Utah Grizzlies, Indy Fuel and Greenville Swamp Rabbits.
In 2022 came the move to Italy — the land of his ancestors, which subsequently allowed him to obtain domestic player status. His first two seasons with Cortina in the Alps Hockey League, sealed by the Italian championship title in 2022 and the Supercup in 2023, confirmed his scoring credentials, finishing as the Alps playoff points leader in 2023. Over the following two seasons at Renon he continued to produce with consistency (110 points in 80 Alps appearances) and played a decisive role in winning the 2025 Supercup, completing a hat-trick in the final. He also stood out at European level with 12 points in 9 appearances across the most recent editions of the IIHF Continental Cup. He made his debut with the Italian national team in the 2024-25 season, recording 3 points in 3 appearances. He will wear number 77 in rossoblù.
