The Wheeling Nailers will once again be a high-scoring team in the 2024-25 ECHL season as they have re-signed their team-leader in points and goals from last season, Jordan Martel. The Quebec native was incredible for the Nailers after being acquired from the Utah Grizzlies for Quinn Wichers and future considerations. In his 45 games in the black and gold, Martel tallied 29 goals and 18 assists with a plus-11 rating. Prior to coming over to the Nailers, Martel played 16 games in Utah, posting six goals and five assists with a minus-two rating. He was a huge piece in the Nailers’ 21% powerplay as he tallied seven goals and nine assists.
Martel played his junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. Drakkar drafted Martel 139th overall in the 2015 QMJHL draft. During his time there, he was incredible as he put up 210 points on 100 goals and 110 assists in 269 games. After his five-year junior career, Martel attended the University of Quebec-Trois-Rivieres for two years. He continued his hot play into his University career tallying 25 goals and 24 assists in 50 games. In the 2021-22 season, Martel and University of Quebec-Trois-Rivieres won the USports (OUA) Championship which led them to participating in the USports University Cup. In three games leading up to them winning that trophy, Martel notched two goals and two assists.
Martel showed how good of a player and difference maker he can be in the ECHL when his University career was finished. He earned a spot with the Fort Wayne Komets at the end of the 2021-22 season. Martel played two games to end the season, collecting two goals and one assist. In the 2021 Kelly Cup Playoffs, Martel was inserted into the lineup two games, but came up empty in the points department. After showcasing his talents in his first few games, he returned to the Komets to begin the 2022-23 season. Martel started off slow with the Komets, only collecting six assists in 13 games played and a minus-five. After a sluggish start, Martel was acquired by the Grizzlies that sent Neil Robison to the Komets. On a different team, Martel shinned bright as he picked up 44 points in 45 games with a plus-12 rating for the Grizzlies. After a strong showing, Martel saw five games in the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs where he tallied three points.
Martel is a great player that can help this Wheeling team tremendously. While he can score from anywhere outside of the high-danger areas, he’s not afraid to get into the gritty part of the ice and directly in front of the net. His awareness to find a loose puck or get his stick down for a perfect deflection while on the move is a great skill to have.
