MARTIN, DAY AND EKBERG NAMED OHL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

Posted on by Dominic Tiano

Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League today announced Top Performers of the Week for the week of regular season games ending Sunday, March 2, 2025.



Greyhounds’ Brady Martin Named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week

2025 NHL Draft-eligible prospect Brady Martin of the Soo Greyhounds is the Cogeco OHL Player of the Week, four goals, six assists and 10 points in three games played.

Martin opened the week with a career-high five-point night on Tuesday, recording a pair of goals and three assists to earn first star honours in a 6-3 win over the North Bay Battalion. He found the scoresheet again on Wednesday, registering a pair of goals and an assists to earn second star honours as the Greyhounds defeated the Sudbury Wolves 6-3. Martin closed out the week with two helpers on Friday as Soo suffered a 6-3 loss to the Brampton Steelheads.

Martin opened the week with a career-high five-point night on Tuesday, tallying two goals and three assists to earn first star honours in a 6-3 win over the North Bay Battalion. He stayed hot on Wednesday, notching two goals and an assist for second star honours as the Greyhounds defeated the Sudbury Wolves 6-3. Martin closed out the week with two assists on Friday as the Soo fell 6-3 to the Brampton Steelheads.

The soon-to-be 18-year-old from Elmira, Ont., has appeared in 50 games with the Greyhounds this season, recording 29 goals, 32 assists, and 61 points. The 6-foot, 174lb. forward was selected third overall by Sault Ste. Marie in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection and has recorded 89 points (39-50-89) in 102 regular season contests with the Greyhounds over two seasons. Martin was ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in the midterm rankings for the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft and recently represented the Western Conference at the inaugural Connor McDavid OHL Top Prospects Game.

Also considered for the award this week, Calgary Flames prospect Zayne Parekh of the Saginaw Spirit posted two goals and eight assists in three games played, while Jimmy Lombardi of the Flint Firebirds tallied seven points (6-1-7) in four wins.

2024-25 Cogeco OHL Players of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 24 – Mar. 2: Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds)
Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Ilya Protas (Windsor Spitfires)
Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Cole Brown (Brantford Bulldogs)
Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Igor Chernyshov (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Nick Lardis (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Tuomas Uronen (Kingston Frontenacs)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Kocha Delic (Sudbury Wolves)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Cole Davis (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Marco Mignosa (Soo Greyhounds)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Blake Montgomery (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Joey Willis (Saginaw Spirit)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Marco Mignosa (Soo Greyhounds)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Sam Dickinson (London Knights)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Calvin Crombie (Brantford Bulldogs)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Kevin He (Niagara IceDogs)
Sep. 25 – Sept. 29: Michael Misa (Saginaw Spirit)



Firebirds’ Nathan Day Named OHL Goaltender of the Week

Edmonton Oilers prospect Nathan Day of the Flint Firebirds is the OHL Goaltender of the Week for the third time this season, going 3-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average and .940 save percentage.

Making 94 saves last week, Day stopped 33 of 34 shots on Monday along with three in the shootout to earn first star honours as the Firebirds edged the Erie Otters 2-1. He returned to the crease Wednesday, turning aside 27 shots in a 6-2 win over the Sarnia Sting. Day closed out the week with a 36-save performance in a 5-3 victory against the Guelph Storm on Friday.

A 20-year-old from Grimsby, Ont., Day owns a record of 24-20-2-3 on the season with a 2.98 goals-against average, .895 save percentage and two shutouts. Now in his fourth season, Day has played to a career mark of 68-59-3-5, along with a 3.48 goals-against average, .880 save percentage and two shutouts. The 6-foot-4, 205Ib. netminder was Edmonton’s sixth round (184th overall) pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Day was selected by Flint in the third round (57th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection from the Niagara North Stars U16 AAA program.

Also considered for the award this week, Saginaw Spirit Goaltender Kaleb Papineau went 2-0 along with a 2.50 goals-against average and .925 save percentage, while London Knights netminder Austin Elliott was also a standout, playing to a 2-0 record with a 1.94 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.

2024-25 OHL Goaltenders of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 14 – Mar. 2: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Mike McIvor (North Bay Battalion)
Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Collin MacKenzie (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Austin Elliott (London Knights)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Nolan Lalonde (Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Easton Rye (Peterborough Petes)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Ben Hrebik (Barrie Colts)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Carter George (Owen Sound Attack)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Andrew Oke (Saginaw Spirit)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Jackson Parsons (Kitchener Rangers)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Nathan Day (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Finn Marshall (Sudbury Wolves)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Joey Costanzo (Windsor Spitfires)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads)


67’s’ Filip Ekberg Named OHL Rookie of the Week

NHL Draft eligible Ottawa 67’s forward Filip Ekberg is the OHL Rookie of the Week after scoring three goals in two home victories.

Ekberg opened the week with a pair of goals on Friday, earning first star honours in the 67’s’ 5-2 win over the North Bay Battalion. He followed up with another goal on Sunday in a 5-4 victory against the Windsor Spitfires.

A 17-year-old from Uppsala, Sweden, Ekberg has recorded 31 points (13-18–31) in 44 games this season. Selected by Ottawa in the first round (33rd overall) of the 2024 CHL Import Draft, he was ranked 136th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft. Ekberg has also found success on the international stage, winning a bronze medal with Sweden at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Also considered for the award this week, Saginaw Spirit forward Carson Harmer registered four points (2-2-4) in three games played.

2024-25 OHL Rookies of the Week – Regular Season:
Feb. 24 – March. 2: Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67’s)
Feb. 17 – Feb. 23: Cole Zurawski (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 10 – Feb. 16: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Feb. 3 – Feb. 9: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Jacob Cloutier (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 20 – Jan. 26: Dimian Zhilkin (Saginaw Spirit)
Jan. 13 – Jan. 19: Chase Reid (Soo Greyhounds)
Jan. 6 – Jan. 12: Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm)
Dec. 30 – Jan. 5: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)
Dec. 28 – Dec. 29: Carson Harmer (Saginaw Spirit)
Dec. 16 – Dec. 22: Logan Hawery (London Knights)
Dec. 9 – Dec. 15: Liam Beamish (Sarnia Sting)
Dec. 2 – Dec. 8: Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 1: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Nov. 18 – Nov. 24: Gavin Betts (Kingston Frontenacs)
Nov. 11 – Nov. 17: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Nov. 4 – Nov. 10: Carter Stevens (Guelph Storm)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 3: Aleksei Medvedev (London Knights)
Oct. 21 – Oct. 27: Cole Zurawski (Flint Firebirds)
Oct. 14 – Oct. 20: Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting)
Oct. 7 – Oct. 13: Pierce Mbuyi (Owen Sound Attack)
Sept. 30 – Oct. 6: Beckham Edwards (Sarnia Sting)
Sept. 25 – Sept. 29: Ethan Belchetz (Windsor Spitfires)

Brady Martin – Soo Greyhounds – Player Profile

Posted on by Dominic Tiano
Brady Martin of the Soo Greyhounds. Photo by OHL Images.
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As the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaches, scouts and draft enthusiasts are keeping a close eye on emerging talents. One name to watch out for Brady Martin, a dynamic and versatile player who has been making waves in the Ontario Hockey League. Here, I delve into Martin’s journey, his playing style, and his potential impact in the NHL.

Early Career and Development

Martin began his journey with the Waterloo Wolves U-16 team, where he showcased his exceptional skills and hockey IQ. During his OHL Draft year in 2023, Martin was the standout player, amassing an impressive 85 points in 34 games between the regular season and playoffs. His performance in the OHL Cup further solidified his reputation, as he led his team with eight goals and 12 points in six games1.

Playing Style and Strengths

Martin is known for his physicality and relentless work ethic. Standing at 6’0″ and weighing 176 lbs, he is a formidable presence on the ice. His ability to dominate in all three zones makes him a valuable asset to any team. Martin’s playing style is characterized by his aggressive forechecking, strong puck possession, and willingness to engage in physical battles. He describes himself as a power forward and one can only imagine his physical dominance only getting better as he bulks up.

One of Martin’s standout qualities is his versatility. He can play both center and right wing, providing flexibility to his coaches while also excelling in all situations. His offensive upside is evident in his ability to create scoring opportunities and his knack for finding the back of the net. Despite not always putting up eye-popping numbers, Martin’s contributions away from the puck make him a first-round threat.

What Others Are Saying

According to various scouting reports, Martin’s combination of skill and compete level is what sets him apart. Corey Pronman of The Athletic highlights Martin’s “true hardness” in his game, noting his ability to attack high-percentage areas and his physicality. Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet emphasizes the importance of multiple viewings to fully appreciate Martin’s game, as his ranking has grown with his consistent play.

Hannah Stuart of Bleacher Report praises Martin’s involvement in every aspect of the game, describing him as a player who “doesn’t quit”. Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff points out that while Martin’s points may not always jump off the page, his play away from the puck and his goal-scoring ability make him an intriguing prospect.

It’s difficult to argue with any of them as it is all true.

Recent Performance and Impact

In the 2024-2025 OHL season, Martin has continued to impress. Through 44 games with the Soo Greyhounds, he has recorded 25 goals and 25 assists, leading his team in goals and second in points. His performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the U-17s further demonstrated his ability to make an impact on the international stage.

Conclusion

Brady Martin’s journey to the 2025 NHL Entry Draft is a testament to his willingness to play on both sides of the puck and his pursuit of success and winning. As a versatile and physical player with a strong hockey IQ, he has the potential to make an impact in the NHL. Teams looking for a player who can contribute in all facets of the game should keep a close eye on Martin as the draft approaches.