Martino is a player who has seen his draft stock slowly increase each passing month. So much so that he’s flirting with being a first-round pick. The Toronto, ON native, led the Omaha Lancers in scoring this season with 18 goals and 38 assists. More impressive, he led the team in scoring in 14 fewer games than the runner-up.
I feel like Ayrton Martino is one of the draft’s best-kept secrets. He’s not getting the attention that he deserves, which will make his future NHL very happy. He’s a gifted goal scorer, and while he’s not the fastest player on the ice, Martino skates well and has good anticipation. Some media outlets even have him as one of the top five playmakers in this draft class.
He’s slightly undersized, and he doesn’t do particularly well defensively, but there’s hope he can improve that going forward.
Something I noticed when watching his film, he displays great vision on the ice, always aware of where his teammates are to create scoring chances. He’s headed off to Clarkson University to play for the 2019 Tim Taylor ECAC Hockey Coach of the Year in Casey Jones next season.
While not a target with their first-round pick, if Ayrton Martino slips to the second round, the LA Kings have to pounce on the winger.
Ayrton Martino, LW
Vitals
- Age: 18
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 170 lbs
- Shot: L
Rankings
- Ranked #41 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
- Ranked #37 by FCHOCKEY
- Ranked #27 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
- Ranked #32 by SPORTSNET’S
- Ranked #53 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
- Ranked #32 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
- Ranked #34 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
- Ranked #34 by SMAHT SCOUTING
- Ranked #47 by TSN/McKenzie