Brady Martin: Why He Missed the NHL Draft and What’s Next

It’s not every day you hear about a 17-year-old center quietly piling up elite numbers without sparking national headlines. Brady Martin, a right-shot forward for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, has been doing just that — 33 goals and 39 assists in 57 games during the 2024‑25 season — while many fans still wonder why he wasn’t at the NHL draft.

Born: March 16, 2007 · Position: Center · OHL Team: Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds · OHL Draft: 3rd overall (2023) · 2024‑25 OHL Points: 72 (33 G, 39 A) in 57 games

Nine key facts about Brady Martin at a glance:

What Happened to Brady Martin?

The Missed NHL Draft Explanation

Brady Martin did not appear at the 2024 NHL Draft because he was not yet eligible. NHL rules require a player to be 18 years old by September 15 of the draft year, and Martin’s birthday is March 16, 2007 — meaning he turned 17 just months before the 2024 draft. The NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings for the 2025 draft place him 17th among North American skaters, confirming he is very much on the radar.

The implication: Draft eligibility is purely calendar-driven, and his stock remains high.

Injury or Eligibility Concerns?

No major injury has been reported that would keep Martin off the ice. He played a full 57-game regular season in 2024‑25 and was named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week in March 2025 after posting four goals and six assists in three games, per the OHL Greyhounds official announcement. The only eligibility question is the draft year, and that will resolve in June 2025.

Recent Developments

Martin added to his resume at the World Under‑18 Hockey Championship, recording three goals and eight assists in seven games for Canada U18 (DobberProspects). His production on the international stage only strengthened his case as a top‑tier 2025 prospect.

Why Wasn’t Brady Martin at the NHL Draft?

Age and Eligibility Rules

The NHL’s collective bargaining agreement sets a September 15 cutoff: a player must be 18 years old by that date to enter the draft. Martin, born March 16, 2007, was 17 on draft day 2024 and therefore ineligible. This is standard for late‑birth players and has nothing to do with skill or team interest.

When Will He Be Eligible?

Martin becomes eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft. He will turn 18 in March 2025, well ahead of the September deadline, and is expected to be selected in the late first round or early second round, according to projections from Elite Prospects.

Comparison to Other Prospects

Players born in the same 2007 age cohort — such as Michael Misa and Roger McQueen — were also ineligible for the 2024 draft. The 2025 class is considered deep, and Martin’s physical style puts him in a unique niche.

Bottom line: Brady Martin wasn’t overlooked. He was simply too young. For scouts, the clock starts ticking in 2025. For the Greyhounds, his continued development this season is the real story.

The pattern: Late‑birth prospects often face misplaced speculation, but the draft calendar is unforgiving.

Will Brady Martin Play in the NHL?

Path to the NHL: OHL Development

Martin’s path runs through the OHL, the traditional feeder for Canadian drafts. He entered the league as the 3rd overall pick in 2023 and has already surpassed 100 career regular‑season games, with 39 goals and 50 assists across his first 102 appearances (OHL career totals). If you’re a Canadian sports fan, you might also want to know Are the Blue Jays Playing Today?

Scouting Projections

Elite Prospects describes Martin as “a uniquely heavy and frequent hitter” and notes he was “one of Canada’s best players at the U17 level.” NHL Central Scouting ranks him 17th among North American skaters in its 2025 midterm list, a strong indicator of a top‑60 selection.

Likelihood and Timeline

Most players drafted from the OHL in the first two rounds play NHL games within two to three seasons. Martin’s combination of size (6’0″, 184 lbs) and offensive production suggests a developmental timeline of 2025‑27, assuming he continues to refine his skating and defensive reads.

The catch: If his skating doesn’t improve, his physicality may become a liability at the pro level.

Is Brady Martin Considered a Good Hockey Player?

Scouting Report: Strengths and Weaknesses

• Strengths: Physical play, hitting, offensive instincts, two‑way awareness (Elite Prospects)
• Areas to improve: Top‑end skating speed, consistency in defensive zone coverage

Statistical Performance in OHL

In 57 games during the 2024‑25 season, Martin scored 33 goals and 39 assists for 72 points, leading the Greyhounds in scoring. His 0.63 points‑per‑game rate as a 17‑year‑old ranks among the top OHL forwards in his draft class.

Expert and Media Opinions

“A uniquely heavy and frequent hitter — one of Canada’s best players at the U17 level.”

Elite Prospects scouting report

“Brady Martin has been named Cogeco OHL Player of the Week for the period Feb. 24 to Mar. 2, 2025.”

OHL Greyhounds official announcement

Bottom line: The scouting community sees Martin as a first‑round talent with a high floor because of his physical game. For a team needing a rugged two‑way center, he’s a strong target. For the Greyhounds, he’s already their most valuable forward.

What this means: His combination of production and physicality is rare, making him a coveted asset.

What Are Brady Martin’s Career Stats and Highlights?

OHL Regular Season Stats

Martin’s scoring has increased dramatically from his rookie season, as the table shows.

* 2023‑24 totals not separately sourced; career totals from OHL announcement.

Playoff and International Performance

At the 2025 World Under‑18 Championship, Martin recorded 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points in 7 games (DobberProspects). He was Canada U18’s second‑leading scorer in the tournament.

Awards and Recognition

• Cogeco OHL Player of the Week (Feb. 24 – Mar. 2, 2025) (OHL Greyhounds announcement)
• Ranked 17th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting’s 2025 midterm rankings
• 3rd overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection

The implication: His trajectory suggests he’s still far from his ceiling.

Timeline

Clarity Check

Confirmed Facts

• Birthdate: March 16, 2007 (CHL profile)
• Drafted 3rd overall by Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2023 (OHL announcement)
• 72 points in 57 games in 2024‑25 (DobberProspects)
• Named OHL Player of the Week in March 2025 (OHL announcement)

What’s Unclear

• Exact height and weight: CHL lists 6’0″, 184 lbs; Elite Prospects says 6’0″, 187 lbs (Elite Prospects)
• Whether a specific injury occurred during his rookie season — no public reports
• NHL draft projection range: some sources say late first round, others early second (Neutral Zone lists a conflicting birthdate, reducing reliability)
• Ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting – ranking may shift before draft (OHL announcement)

Summary

Brady Martin is not a mystery — he’s a 17‑year‑old center with a clear developmental path, strong statistical backing, and a physical playing style that NHL scouts prize. The biggest confusion stemmed from his draft ineligibility in 2024, which was always a matter of date, not talent. For the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and fans following his journey, the choice is clear: watch him climb the draft boards in 2025, or risk missing one of the OHL’s most intriguing prospects before he turns pro.

Scouting services have already begun publishing their 2026 NHL draft rankings, which could offer a clearer picture of where Martin might land in the upcoming draft.

Frequently asked questions