It seems like only yesterday the San Jose Sharks were a team with grit, heart and determination. Names like Raffi Torres, Mike Brown and John Scott echoed off the walls of Bay Area living rooms last season, and even a portion of this one, giving us the knowledge our stars were safe.
With those names gone, general manager Doug Wilson has sought to add some more #grit back to the organization by signing right wing John Martin to an entry level deal. In 306 WHL games, Martin has 134 points and … wait for it … 408 penalty minutes; making him a perfect fit in San Jose!
This is obviously pretty unfair to Martin, who may be more Ryane Clowe than Mike Brown. At just 20 years old, the jury is still very much out on what kind of an NHL player he’ll turn out to be (if he turns out to be one at all, of course).
Here’s a scouting report from the venerable milanahalek:
Just my opinion but unless he’s a late bloomer, which is possible, I’m not sure there’s not a lot of talent there.
Poor skater, not great hockey sense but big & decent hands around the net. Can be physical when he wants to be.
He’s an OA with pro size almost tripling his average production from his previous 4 WHL seasons.
And the press release:
SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed right wing Jon Martin (@jmartin_17) to a standard, entry-level contract.
“Jon is a well-rounded player who brings a high skill set but also a tough, physical game.” said Wilson. “His game has really blossomed this season under Broncos General Manager and Head Coach Mark Lamb. As a result, he had a lot of suitors and we are thrilled that he has decided to join the Sharks organization.”
Martin, 20, currently leads the Swift Current Broncos with 66 points (36 goals, 30 assists) and has posted 68 penalty minutes and a plus-2 rating in 60 games in the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season. He currently ranks T-9th in the league in goals and was named the WHL’s Player of the Week for the week ending Oct. 18. He has posted career highs in goals, assists and points this season as Swift Current’s captain.
In 306 career WHL games with Kootenay and Swift Current, Martin has recorded 134 points (68 goals, 66 assists) and 408 penalty minutes. He represented Canada Western in the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, posting two goals and 18 penalty minutes in five games.
The six-foot-two, 220-pound forward is a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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