| Ayrton Martino | Omaha Lancers | USHL | L | F | 5’10” | 170 | Clarkson | 2021 | Toronto, ON | 2002 | 2020-2021: B |
USHL: Omaha Lancers vs Waterloo Black Hawks, March 9th, 2021: Martino is a speedy forward who does a great job of using his skating to push the pace and create offence on rush opportunities. He had two clear breakaways and one partial breakaway in this game, doing a great job of anticipating the play and using his skating to make himself an option behind the defence. The Clarkson commit registered a goal and an assist in this game. On his first goal, he did a great job of reading the play in the offensive zone. On the play he made a quick pass to his linemate who was low in the zone and broke hard to the net, receiving a pass back and burying a quick one-timer. Throughout the game, Martino used his speed and skill to make Omaha defenders uncomfortable, creating numerous chances on the rush. He showed his ability to blow by defenders with speed, which began forcing bad gaps that he then would recognize and begin to pull up on the rush, hitting the second wave of attackers and resulting in at least two high-quality scoring chances for Omaha. Overall, his speed is his best asset and he uses it effectively to push defenders back and create space to make plays with the puck. Grade: A
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, February 2021: I like watching Ayrton play in the USHL. The league is probably the best and deepest its ever been yet he controls the pace of the game every shift no matter who he’s matched up with. I love the way he changes speeds to manipulate the defender’s gap and he does an excellent job of exploding into open ice. His hands are smooth, quick and deadly. In all three zones his eyes are up and he’s looking to make poise plays. His work ethic is outstanding and he is responsible away from the puck defensively.
USHL: Omaha vs Fargo 2/12/21, February 16, 2021: Martino is a speedy and creative forward for Omaha who registered a goal and an assist in this game. He works hard, constantly driving his feet to hunt pucks and create offense when he has the puck on his stick. On the forecheck he is relentless and keeps his feet moving through the puck. He scored his goal while shorthanded as a result of this speed and hard work. On the play he won a long puck race, went in on a breakaway, and made a great move from forehand to backhand before sliding the puck through the goalie’s legs. He also generated offense off the rush, doing a great job of shooting with his feet moving. Overall, he is an extremely fast and skilled forward, generating the majority of the offense he creates off the rush and from turnovers on the forecheck. Grade: A
USHL: Tri-City Storm vs Omaha Lancers, February 3, 2021: Martino scored the lone goal for Omaha in this game, which came just over two minutes into the first period. He is a quick forward that has good playmaking ability on the rush and will try defenders one on one. He navigates the neutral zone well with the puck, using his edges and keeping his head up to skate around opponents. When he has time and space he is extremely dangerous in the rush, changing the point of attack and displaying a quick release on his wrist shot. Martino will also look to beat defenders one on one if he can isolate them, walking two Storm players at different points in this game. Overall, he is a dangerous playmaker who likes to create on the rush and try defenders one on one. Grade: A-
BCHL: Chilliwack Chiefs 2021 NHL Draft Prospects vs Coquitlam Express, November 2, 2020: Ayrton was the most impactful of the draft eligible players in this game. As a puck carrier he played with pace and deception. He showed the consistent ability to make tape to tape passes through defender’s legs or through their triangle. While attacking the offensive blue line Ayrton was excellent at changing speeds or angles to manipulate the gap into his favor. His eyes were always up allowing him to find the late attacker or middle drive therefore creating odd man situations on just about every rush. He was elusive with the puck while cycling below the goal line, but we were very impressed with his ability to find the high seem and generate defensive confusion on a high cycle. He played the point on the power play and was confident walking the blue line under pressure. He (again) showed the ability to pass through tight lanes and fire tape to tape passes through the seems.
BCHL Pre-Season: Penticton, West Kelowna, Surrey, Chilliwack, Alberni Valley, October 5, 2020: Skilled forward that makes sauce, flip, and backhand plays on the ice. He shows off his skill well by making these types of passes. Had a really good play where it looked like he just flipped it on net, but it bounced a couple times and redirected. You could tell it was intentional. Grade: B
OJHL: Aurora vs Buffalo and Oakville vs St. Michaels, December 2019: Ayrton is an explosive winger with very strong straight-line speed and the ability to create offense in an instant. His puck skills are strong as he is able to stick handle while skating at high speed with ease. The combination of skills allows him to apply a lot of pressure on opposing defenders by driving pucks wide, as well as to the slot area when given the space. He showed a high level of confidence with the puck, and wasn’t shy to challenge the opposition. He created plenty of offensive opportunities with his linemates in the early goings of the game, and finished the night with a goal and an assist. Grade: B+
World Junior A Challenge, December 2019: Martino had a productive tournament for Canada East, finishing with 5 points in 6 games. 4 of those points came against Canada West in the preliminary round, with a 2G and 2A effort against his fellow countrymen. Martino has good speed and offensive talent, making good passes on the PP, and winning puck races on the forecheck. He got some time on the penalty kill, and notched a nice assist following a blocked shot short-handed. The late 2002-born forward is draft eligible in 2021, and committed to Clarkson for next Fall. Grade: B+
OJHL Showcase, October 2019: Very impressive late 2002 birth year and another prospect who jumped from minor midget to OJHL and made a quick transition to the junior game scoring at nearly a point per game pace. This player is speedy, has great skating balance and displays a real high offensive instincts. We watched is a puck was tipped to him in a scramble and he had the smarts enough to dish to a teammate for an easy goal. Great vision. Great hockey sense. Factored in on every shift. College: Clarkson Grade B+
OJHL: Toronto Jr. Canadiens @ St. Michael’s Buzzers, November 2018: Ayrton is a strong skater with a smooth stride and above average straight-line speed. He is skilled with the puck and doesn’t panic under pressure. He is able to play with his head up and shows a high level of awareness for his surroundings on the ice. In the offensive end, Ayrton was always moving his feet when playing without the puck and consistently got himself to open areas on the ice for a passing option for his teammates. He registered an assist on the games only goal minus the empty netter, setting up the play with a nice pass into the slot area. Grade: B
Junior Chowder Cup 2002 Division, August 2017: Martino made some clever plays with the puck including a pretty five-hole score on a breakaway. The Toronto native pushed the pace with and without the puck. He created bad gaps for defenders and used the space well. He hunted pucks and created turnovers. We liked his IQ as he seemed to be thinking two steps ahead of everyone else on the ice. Smarts player with skills to make plays. His best hockey is ahead of him.