Seven ’07s to surveil
Our Hockey News Windsor choice list of seven select 2007 birth year skaters from the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League includes Spitfires forward Jack Nesbitt. In all, the skilled seven are projected to be impact players in ’24-25 after showing particular potential and promise as OHL rookies in ’23-24.
In alphabetical order they are as follows.
Ryan Brown, Sarnia Sting. A forward with a late — as in October 26 — birth date, Brown took advantage of opportunity to shine with a Sarnia squad that missed the playoffs in ’23-24. Sarnia’s first round pick at the 2023 OHL priority selections draft, the medium size forward netted 11 goals, nine assists, 20 points in 49 games for the Sting in ’23-24.
Travis Hayes, Soo Greyhounds. A Michigan product who the Soo snagged in the second round of the ’23 OHL priority selections, Hayes — a medium size forward — came through with 14 goals, 21 assists, 35 points in 58 games for the Greyhounds in ’23-24.
Brady Martin, Soo Greyhounds. Lanky at 6 foot 1, 175 pounds, Martin managed 10 goals, 18 assists, 28 points in 52 regular season games and then tacked on a goal and an assist in 11 playoffs outings for the Red and White as a forward with motion and mindset. Martin was drafted by the Greyhounds in the first round, third overall, in ’23.
Jeremy Martin, Flint Firebirds. A 6 foot, 180 pound forward, Martin flashed some fire for Flint after the Firebirds made him their first round draft pick in ’23. Martin skated in 64 regular season games for the Firebirds and fired home 13 goals, one assist, 14 points while playing some meaningful minutes on an up and coming Flint team.
Jack Nesbitt, Windsor Spitfires. A tower at 6 foot 4, Nesbitt netted nine goals, nine assists, 18 points in 58 games for the Spitfires, who took him in the first round of the ’23 OHL priority selections.
Cameron Reid, Kitchener Rangers. A medium size defender, Reid played in 59 games total — regular season and playoffs included — for the Blueshirts in ’23-24 and had two goals, 26 assists, 28 points and showed his smooth skills as Kitchener’s first round pick from the ’23 OHL priority selections draft.
Matt Schaefer, Erie Otters. The first overall pick at the ’23 OHL priority selections draft, the 6 foot 1, 185 pound defenseman played in 62 total games for Erie in ’23-24 and put up three goals, 17 assists, 20 points.