From the Selects to the Jets: Oakbank’s Martin selected by hometown team at NHL draft

Owen Martin joined an exclusive list of players when the Winnipeg Jets took him in the third round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft June 28.

Since returning to the province in 2011, just two other Manitobans have been selected by their hometown team (Jason Kasdorf in 2011 and Jordy Stallard in 2016).

“It’s just super-cool to be drafted by the hometown team,” Martin said in a virtual media availability hosted from his home in Oakbank.

“I grew up always going to the games, it’s just an unbelievable experience.”

Martin was just four years old when the Jets returned to Winnipeg.

Martin played for the Eastman Selects U15 AAA team before moving to play at the RINK Hockey Academy. He joined the Spokane Chiefs in the 2023/2024 season, being named rookie of the year and helping them to an appearance in the Western Hockey League finals this season.

The forward’s season was cut short after blocking a shot early in the season but he was able to return. In 39 games this season he posted 34 points, chipping in 12 playoff points in Spokane’s run to the finals.

“That (injury) really sucked but it was a good year,” Martin said.

“We had a great team. I think I played a big role in that. Power play, penalty killing, even strength. Everything. And then heading into next year, I think it can be more of the same. Even just elevating that role a little bit.”

Oakbank has become a strong presence in the NHL, with brothers Quinton and Brett Howden enjoying strong professional careers. Quinton even suited up for the Jets for a few games in the 2016/2017 season as well.

“There’s a lot of hockey in Oakbank, growing up playing with my buddies in town was super-awesome,” Martin said.

Martin was at home watching the draft with friends and family, and was able to quickly don a Jets hat for his first media availability.

“We’re all getting texts from everyone we know, it’s been unbelievable,” Martin said.

“Tonight we’ll probably have even more people over, have a nice BBQ.”

“He’s an intriguing player for us,” Jets’ director of amateur scouting Mark Hillier said in an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press.

“He has pretty good size. Really good skater, has some skill, but has a good, smart two-way game. Coached by (former Jets assistant) Brad Lauer in Spokane, so he has good development there. He had a really strong playoff this season. We expect those offensive numbers to even pop more next year. A really solid two-way guy.”

Martin touted his skating, reliability and two way game when asked to evaluate his strengths as a player.

“I think I’m just as good, if not better defensively than I am offensively,” Martin said.

“I think I bring a lot to the game.”

Martin will get his first chance to impress Winnipeg Jets fans at the team’s annual prospect camp, which kicked off July 1 at the Hockey for All Centre in Winnipeg.

The Jets made four other picks at the draft, which was held in Los Angeles, although teams’ war-rooms stayed at home to conduct business virtually.

“We’re expecting to get players in the top couple rounds. It’s a little tougher at 28 than it is in the top 10, but you do your best. But you should find good players in the top rounds,” Hillier said.

“It’s a bonus when you can hit on those sixth and seventh rounders. You could say if you thought he was going to be that good you would have taken him higher, but it’s always nice to get those guys that pop after their draft year.”

The team nabbed Swedish international Sascha Boumedienne late in the first round Friday. The defenseman has spent the last few years playing in the states, joining Boston University last season.

The Jets took fellow Swede Viktor Klingsell in the fifth, American defenseman Edison Engle in the sixth and Ottawa winger Jacob Cloutier in the seventh.

With files from Mike McIntyre