Jimmy Lombardi of the Flint Firebirds. Photo by OHL Images.
Jimmy Lombardi has drawn a little attention while skating for the OHL Flint Firebirds. Born on February 16, 2007, in Toronto, Ontario, Lombardi has shown potential as a center, standing at 6’0″ and weighing 179 lbs. His journey in hockey began with his youth team in Canada, and he was drafted in 2023 as the 29th overall pick by the Flint Firebirds in the OHL Priority Selection.
Career Path
Lombardi’s career trajectory has been marked by steady if not consistent growth and development. Since joining the Flint Firebirds, he has demonstrated his ability to adapt and hold his own in a competitive environment. His performances have earned him recognition as a prospect eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, where he is ranked among the top 75 North American skaters.
Scouting Report
Jimmy Lombardi is a high-compete, two-way center known for his strong play in all three zones. Here are some key aspects of his game:
Strengths:
Hockey Sense and Playmaking: Lombardi exhibits elite game processing and anticipation. He excels in creating opportunities for his teammates and has a knack for recovering loose pucks, making him a valuable asset in both offensive and defensive situations.
Skating and Work Ethic: His speed and relentless style of play make him a constant threat on the ice. He is capable shifting the momentum in his team’s favor with his high-tempo approach and energy.
Versatility: Trusted by his coaches in all situations, Lombardi plays significant minutes on both the power play and penalty kill. His ability to elevate his game in crucial moments highlights his leadership qualities.
Areas for Improvement:
Shooting Efficiency: Lombardi’s scoring ability is an area that requires development. With only seven goals in 62 games, improving his shot selection and finishing skills will be crucial for his progression.
Passing and Puck Management: While he has playmaking potential, his passing accuracy and puck protection skills need refinement to reduce turnovers and enhance his offensive impact.
Physicality and Face-Offs: Adding muscle to his frame and improving his face-off win rate will help him handle the physical demands of professional hockey.
Jimmy Lombardi’s journey is a testament to his hard work and determination. As he continues to develop his skills and address areas for improvement, he has the potential to become a professional hockey player. At which level will depend on his effort and willingness to improve.
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.
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.
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.
OHL Writers 