The beginning of the 2024-25 OHL season signifies not only another thrilling year of junior hockey but also the beginning of the 2025 NHL Draft season. The top junior development hockey league in the world is once again expected to lead the way in showcasing a strong group of prospects for the upcoming draft.
Everyone already knows to watch out for Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Porter Martone, Malcolm Spence, and Jake O’Brien, as those five players have shown the early potential of being top 20 picks in the upcoming draft.
However, there are a plethora of other first-year draft-eligible players who haven’t been talked about enough and could be in for breakout seasons in 2024-25.
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Below we have five players who junior hockey fans are going to want to keep track of throughout the season.
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Soo Greyhounds – Brady Martin – Center
First on our players to keep track of is the Soo Greyhounds’ third-overall selection in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection, Brady Martin.
Martin primarily played a third-line role for the Greyhounds in 2023-24 and recorded 10 goals and 28 points in 52 games. He at times was overshadowed by his teammate Travis Hayes who outproduced him with 35 points, but it was still a solid first year for the Elmira, Ontario native.
Brady got an early start to his draft season winning gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Canada this past August. He was held without a goal but tallied four assists and displayed his talented individual skillset to attack and deke around defenders one-on-one, and physicality on the forecheck.
Sault Ste. Marie has lost many key pieces to their offense from last season. Martin will have every opportunity to let his offensive skills flourish and be relied upon to drive the offense for his team in the upcoming season.
The supporting cast around him ranks average, but that also means it’s an opportunity for him to lead the way and show that he is a play driver.
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Kitchener Rangers – Luca Romano – Center/Right Wing
Luca Romano was teammates with Martin at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. His coming out party was a bit more noticeable.
The Kitchener Ranger’s second-year forward recorded three goals at the summer tournament, but he created plenty of offense…