Predators send top prospect Brady Martin back to OHL

A notable up-and-comer is heading back to the junior ranks.

On Wednesday, Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz announced that the team is sending forward Brady Martin back to the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.

The move allows Martin the opportunity to further develop his game, while not burning the first year of his entry-level contract, which would’ve occurred had he appeared in 10 games for the Predators.

Martin played in three of Nashville’s first seven games of the season, including on Tuesday night when the Preds lost 5-2 to the Anaheim Ducks. It was the 18-year-old’s first appearance since Oct. 11, when he registered his first NHL point, an assist, in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth.

In his short stint with the team, Martin had been playing further down the lineup, centering either the third or fourth line. He posted an even plus/minus while averaging 11:25 of ice time.

Martin was taken by Nashville in the first round, fifth overall, of the 2025 NHL Draft, signing his three-year, entry-level contract a couple of months later. It came after a successful 2024-25 campaign with the Greyhounds. In 57 games, he set career highs in goals (39), assists (33) and points (72), finishing second on the team in scoring. He also notched four points in five playoff games.

The Elmira, Ont. native also stood out at the 2025 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship this past spring. He was named to the tournament’s all-star team after scoring 11 points in seven games, helping Canada win the gold medal. Martin also took home gold with his country at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

The Greyhounds are off to a solid start this season. With an 8-5-0-0 record, the team is third in the Western Conference. The Soo is home this week, hosting the Erie Otters on Wednesday before taking on the Peterborough Petes on Friday.

The Predators (2-3-2) will be hosting the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.