Watch out for Steelheads
The Ontario Hockey League is back in Brampton this season after an absence of more than 10 years. The Steelheads have relocated from Mississauga to Brampton, which is a distance of a mere six miles. And after an 84 point season in ’23-24 — which was good for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, just five points out of first — the Steelheads are a prime time contender for OHL glory in ’24-25.
To be sure, the observing eyes of the National Hockey League scouts will be on the Steelheads hulking right winger Porter Martone throughout the ’24-25 OHL season. Martone, who has an October 26, 2006 birth date, is already projected to be one of the top two OHL forwards selected at the 2025 NHL Draft — and with good reason.
With deep Sault Ste. Marie roots through his dad, Mike Martone — a former OHL bruiser of a defenseman with the Peterborough Petes — the younger Martone is a scary combination of raw talent, brute strength and size. At 6 foot 3, 195 pounds, Martone produced 33 goals, 38 assists, 71 points in 60 regular season games for the Steelheads in ’23-24 and added one goal, five assists, six points in five playoff outings.
Martone will not be alone as a star forward attraction in Brampton this season.
Joining Martone in Brampton this season is explosive 52-goal gunslinger Carson Rehkopf. Rehkopf, who has a 2005 birth date, was acquired by the Steelheads from the Kitchener Rangers for a river boat full of future draft picks in a block buster off season transaction. Rehkopf was a second round NHL draft pick of the Seattle Kraken in 2023.
The acquisition of Rehkopf was not the only major move made by Brampton head coach and general manager James Richmond during the summer. Richmond obtained journeyman overage defenceman Spencer Sova from the Erie Otters and made a bit of risky move in dealing 2006 birth year goalie — and Buffalo Sabres draft pick — Ryerson Leenders to the Brantford Bulldogs.
Trading away Leenders opens the door for more playing time for 2007 birth year goalie Jack Ivankovic — who the Steelheads took in the first round of the 2023 OHL priority selections draft — between the pipes in ’24-25. Time will tell if Ivankovic is ready to take the reins as a bona fide no. 1 goalie in the OHL.
Back to Martone, he could well overtake Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit — who earned exceptional status prior to going first overall at the 2022 OHL priority selections draft — as the top forward prospect from the OHL for the 2025 NHL draft. Martone’s skill, strength, size and smarts will be tough for any NHL team to overlook.
Meanwhile, as a team, Brampton has earned the top ranking from the OHL by the Canadian Hockey League in its Top 10 pre season rankings ahead of the ’24-25 campaign. Among OHL teams, Brampton is ranked second, the London Knights are third, the Oshawa Generals are eighth and the Brantford Bulldogs are ninth.
The top ranked CHL team is the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League.
