Martel returns to Nailers

WHEELING, W.Va. - The Wheeling Nailers, ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, announced the team has re-signed forward Jordan Martel to a contract for the 2024-25 season.

Martel was acquired by the Nailers in a trade from the Utah Grizzlies in December 2023, and provided an immediate jolt to the team's offense. He averaged over a point-per-game with Wheeling, tallying 47 points (29g-18a) in 45 games. Overall last season, he compiled 58 points (35g-23a) in 61 contests and ranked sixth in the ECHL in goals. In addition to leading the team in regular-season scoring, Martel finished first on the club in the playoffs, as he notched 13 points (5g-8a) in nine games. The 26-year-old has totaled 111 points (55g-56a) in 121 career games with Wheeling, Utah and Fort Wayne.

Prior to turning pro, the Chicoutimi, Québec native played four seasons of junior hockey with the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League's Baie-Comeau Drakkar, then played two seasons at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières. Martel's best individual season with the Drakkar came in 2017-18, when he posted 77 points (39g-38a) in 66 games. He experienced his greatest team success at UQTR in 2021-22, when the Patriotes captured the University Cup with a thrilling double overtime win over the University of Alberta. Martel recorded one goal and one assist in the final, and had at least one point in all three games of the championship tournament.