After splitting last season between the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds and Val-d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Calvin Martin joined the Sarnia Sting as an overage free agent back in September of 2018.
However, after just one season plus an additional eight games played this season, the Mississauga Steelheads announced on Tuesday that they had acquired the overage forward from the Sarnia Sting in a trade that will send an eighth-round pick the other way for the 2023 OHL Draft.
Martin joins a Steelheads organization that is currently coming off of a 3-2 win over the Erie Otters on Saturday and one that now owns a record of 10-4-6 with a total record of eight points registered.
Martin, a left-handed shooting left-winger, was originally selected by the Soo Greyhounds in the sixth round (121st overall) of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. In taking a look at Martin’s 2019-2020 season thus far, the Peterborough, Ontario native has only appeared in eight games played, however, during that time, the Canadian has recorded four assists while adding on five goals. This made for a total of nine points registered.
Martin, who previously played with the Stouffville Spirit of the OJHL, ended his tenure with the Sting averaging 1.13 points per game, meanwhile, adding on two penalty minutes and a Plus/Minus rating of -4 as well.
As per the entirety of his career in the OHL, Martin has taken part in 143 games played, recording 24 goals and 31 assists, making for a total of 55 points registered. After the trade was finalized, general manager and head coach James Richmond spoke about the acquisition of Calvin Martin where he said in a brief statement with regards to the 6’0, 188 lbs left-winger, “We would like to welcome Calvin and his family to the Steelheads. Calvin has been a point-a-game guy this season and we have been looking to add offence to the lineup. He is a strong forward that we are extremely excited to get and will be inserted into the lineup for the game on Friday.”
Going into his fifth season in the OHL back in September, Sting general manager Nick Sinclair spoke briefly about Calvin Martin where he said, “Calvin came into training camp having to earn his spot on our team. He was one of our most impactful forwards in our training camp scrimmages and through the first two exhibition games. Calvin will bring an element of speed and experience to our lineup and we are excited to add him to our current group.”
As for the thoughts of Martin himself going into a new season with the team, he said, “I was pretty excited to get the opportunity. I wanted to get back into the OHL. There’s really nothing to lose, so I came in with a positive mind, just worked as hard as I could and I guess it worked out positively. I’m really happy with that.”
Because of the attitude he entered with, Martin, who now has two full major junior seasons under his belt, came out with positive results as me managed to record a goal and one assist in two preseason games.
When he first made his OHL debut in 2016-17, Martin recorded four goals and three assists with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Speaking of which, Martin opened last season with the Greyhounds having scored just one goal in 19 games played. This led to him being released and his signing in the QMJHL.
Once he arrived in Val-d’Or, Quebec, Martin, now 19-years-old, stepped up his game and scored two goals and three assists in 28 games played. However, since the offseason came, Martin’s agent called some OHL teams after he parted ways with the Foreurs organization.
When speaking about the free agent process when looking for the long road back to the OHL, Martin said, “I think Sarnia was the first team that said yes and I just wanted to hop on the yes and just go with that. Not look back, just go forward and really work for that. I know Sarnia’s a great organization.”
Additionally, when speaking further about what they saw in the forward prior to signing him, Martin said, “They just said they were looking to add some speed and that’s my strongest asset, so they said they’ll give me a fair look at camp.”
As a player who has seen both highs and lows in the OHL, Martin said once he signed with the Sting, “I learned a lot changing leagues and then coming back, being a young guy. You’re going to have your lows and your highs. Just always stay positive and know that if you work your hardest, you know something will happen in the end. Just always work and don’t get down.”
While that statement applies very much to the progress he made both during training camp and so far this season, Martin closed with a thought that will resonate as he opens a new chapter with the Steelheads. “I’m just looking to keep earning everything. I’ll work as hard as I can and just see what happens from there.”
Martin will make his debut with Mississauga on Saturday night when the Steelheads pay a visit to Cole Perfetti and the Saginaw Spirit. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pmET and can be seen on OHL Live, meanwhile, it can be heard on Sauga 960 AM.
After that, he will make his home debut the following Friday at Paramount Fine Foods Centre as the Steelheads play host to the visiting Sarnia Sting. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00pmET and can be seen on OHL Live, meanwhile, it can be heard on Sauga 960 AM.