Martin brings NHL experience, work ethic to Canada’s World Juniors camp

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Brady Martin’s travel to Canada’s National Junior Team training camp didn’t go quite as planned.

Bad weather and cancelled flights delayed the Nashville Predators prospect’s arrival at the Gale Centre in Niagara Falls by more than a day, forcing the 18-year-old forward into an early wake-up just to get to camp.

“It took me about a day and a half,” Martin said. “Bad weather, flights getting cancelled, just delayed hours. It wasn’t ideal.”

“It was a little frustrating. I didn’t really want to get up at four in the morning, but it happened, so I hopped on the flight and flew here.”

Despite little rest, Martin wasted no time getting up to speed once he arrived.

“I’ve been up for 12 hours straight, so I didn’t feel great,” he said. “But it was nice to get out there and get a quick rip.”

Pushing through fatigue is nothing new for Martin, who grew up on a 1,000-acre, family-run farm in Elmira, Ontario, where hard work and competition were part of daily life.

“My work ethic and my compete level are what I bring every night,” he said. “That’s what the team needs, what a championship team needs, and that’s what I’ll bring every night.”

Since returning from a three-game NHL stint in October, the Predators’ fifth-overall pick has five goals and 16 points in 13 games with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Earlier this season, Martin skated on Nashville’s top line in his NHL debut and is one of six players at Canada’s national junior camp to have played in the NHL, alongside Harrison Brunicke, Braeden Cootes, Jett Luchanko, Michael Misa, and Zayne Parekh.

“It was really cool,” Martin said. “I got to play with some pretty good players, and I played on the first line in my first game. So it was really cool to experience that.”

During his brief time in Nashville, Martin leaned heavily on veteran forwards Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly.

“They helped me along and I played on their line,” he said. “They’d work with me after practice and give me tips, just helping me keep improving.”

Internationally, Martin has represented Canada at the world under-18 championship and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning gold at both tournaments.

Even after a frustrating travel experience, Martin is embracing another opportunity to play for his country.

“I'm here now, and I'm happy to be here.“