Giacomo Martino of the Ontario Hockey League’s St. Michael’s Buzzers (photo credit – Christian Bender & Amy Deroche / OJHL Images) has confirmed his commitment to join the Northeastern University Huskies in Boston, MA  beginning with the 2023-24 season.

The 16-year-old has 33 points (16 goals/17 assists)  in 31 games for the Buzzers this season. Four of his goals have come on the power play. He has scored three game-winners.

Martino narrowed his choice of NCAA Division I schools to Northeastern, Clarkson and Michigan State this fall. A visit to the Northeastern campus in Boston last week sold him.

“Their style of play was something that really drew me in,” he told the OJHL. “And the environment that they have, in the city and at the rink, was something that I really liked and I could see myself playing in.”

The Toronto resident joined the Buzzers from the Vaughan Kings AAA program this season. He had 22 goals and seven assists in 34 games with the Kings’ U15 squad in 2019-20.

“The Buzzers congratulate Giacomo on a great first half season of his junior career,” said long-time Buzzers Head Coach and General Manager Rich Ricci. “Heavily recruited, his choice of Northeastern is a great program fit for him, following in the steps of former Buzzers, the Jackson twins and Ty Spott. 

“Giacomo is a legacy Buzzer, being the younger brother of Ayrton. Although there are some obvious similarities between the two, there are also marked differences. Giacomo is an elite skater, playmaker and goal scorer. These skills will enhance with age and strength.“

Ayrton, who played at St. Mike’s for two seasons (2018-20), was a third-round selection of the Dallas Stars in this year’s NHL Draft.  He has 11 points in 19 games in his  freshman season at Clarkson in Potsdam, NY.

“A quiet, happy-go-lucky kid who isn’t fazed by the age or size of opponents, Giacomo just goes out and plays,” Ricci told the OJHL. “Like older brother Ayrton, he will be successful at the next level and I fully expect his name to be called at the 2023 NHL draft.”

His NHL influences?

“(Patrice) Bergeron plays 200 feet, which is something I try to replicate,” Giacomo said. “And I try to replicate Mitch Marner (the former St. Mike’s affiliate player) and his passing ability, seeing the ice.”

The Grade 11 student at North York’s Chaminade College School describes his own style of play:

“A fast-paced game using my brain to get open and trying to get my teammates involved

I have a shot-first mentality on certain plays and I try to get everyone involved.”

Congratulations to Giacomo and best of luck in the OJHL and NCAA!

About the OJHL –  “League of Choice”

The Ontario Junior Hockey League is the largest Junior ‘A’ league operating under the auspices of the Canadian Junior Hockey League with 22 member clubs. A proud member of the CJHL and Ontario Hockey Association, the OJHL was originally named the Ontario Provincial Junior ‘A’ Hockey League and it was formed out of the Central Junior ‘B’ Hockey League in 1993-94. With a long and storied history of developing players for the next level, including U SPORTS, the NCAA, CHL, minor pro ranks and the NHL, the OJHL had more than 125 commitments in 2019-20– including more than 45 NCAA Division I scholarships.