Battalion acquires Martin from Wolves

BRAMPTON, Ont. – The Battalion has acquired centre Howie Martin from the Sudbury Wolves for the team’s fourth-round pick in the 2004 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection, Stan Butler, director of hockey operations, announced Tuesday.

Martin, a left-shot centre who will turn 17 on Nov. 18, was chosen by the Wolves in the second round, 27th overall, of the 2002 OHL Priority Selection.

He played 51 games for Sudbury as an underager last season, scoring four goals and adding seven assists for 11 points while being assessed 31 penalty minutes. Martin, who stands 5’11” and weighs 190 pounds, has not seen action this season.

Howie is a very skilled player,” said Butler. He’s got good hands and good instincts with the puck. He’s not the greatest skater in the world but he has good puck sense and he’s good around the net.”

Butler said that Martin’s OHL experience will help strengthen the Battalion’s corps of young players.

I think we’ve upgraded our 1986-born group. With defenceman Dan Marziani leaving, Howie gives us a second 17-year-old who has already played a year in the league. He played his bantam hockey with the Mississauga Senators, and I know his coach always had good things to say about him.”

The Battalion owned two fourth-round selections in 2004, having acquired the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds’ pick in a trade for goaltender Joey Biasucci on Aug. 1, 2002.

Martin, a resident of Hillsburgh, Ont., will be in the Battalion lineup Friday night when the club visits the Sarnia Sting.