Martin right at home when playing at Winnipeg Jets development camp

For most NHL prospects, the time after getting drafted in an absolute whirlwind, as they jet across North America to an unfamiliar rink in an attempt to impress a new fan-base.

For Winnipeg Jets third-round draft pick Owen Martin, he was right at home at the Hockey for All Centre. Not only had the Oakbank product attended pro camps like the Jets recent prospects camp as a fan, he’s also played and found success inside the building, both as a minor hockey player with the Eastman Selects and with the RINK Hockey Academy.

“I think Eastman really helped with my development,” Martin said after the final day of Winnipeg’s annual prospects camp.

“Growing up, playing minor hockey there was awesome, playing with all my buddies, I always had good coaches. Eastman just really helped me through my career.”

Martin has called getting selected by his hometown team “awesome,” throughout the process, and had a smile on his face throughout prospects camp.

There was a friendly face on the ice for Martin to compete with, as the Jets also invited Lorette’s Avery Laliberte, who has been playing for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Niverville Nighthawks, to join them at their development camp as a free agent. The duo even played U13 hockey together in the Eastman system and at RINK.

Getting picked 93rd overall by his hometown team comes with expectations, and Martin is aiming to meet them.

“The biggest thing is getting to know everybody, that’s the first step of being here,” he said when asked what it took to succeed at a development camp.

“Just putting your best foot forward, working as hard as you can, trying to pick away at the coaches, trying to take every little thing you can and bring it back to my junior team for next year.”

Martin will return to the Spokane Chiefs to continue his major junior career this fall as part of a young, hungry group looking to win a championship.

The Chiefs were defeated in the WHL finals by Medicine Hat last year, but Martin expects the run to the final to only benefit Spokane.

“Learning how to play in those high paced, high intensity games I think was really good,” Martin said.

“We had a young team this year, we’ll still have a young team next year… It gets easier as you go on. The first shift of the finals was pretty nerve-wracking, but after that it gets easier and easier.”

Martin only scored 34 points in 39 games for Spokane this year, needing to rehab a major leg injury after blocking a shot during the season. It was a chance for the then 17-year-old to reflect on his game and think about what it will take to thrive at the next level.

“I think that helped me with the whole work ethic part of it,” Martin said, remembering how much time he needed to spend in the gym when his walking boot was removed.

“Getting back into the swing of things was fairly easy because I was doing a lot of exercise with the rehab. I think it helped me overall.”

The annual Young Stars Prospect Tournament, featuring players from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary NHL rosters has been put on hold for this year. Winnipeg has not yet announced their plans to play prospect games this year.