When the Rookie Faceoff starts in just over a month, the San Jose Sharks will have an undrafted player joining their ranks.
Pavel Martinu, an 18-year-old forward out of the United States Hockey League’s Sioux Falls Stampede, has been invited to the 2026 Rookie Faceoff by the Sharks per Paragon Sports Consulting:
Martinu, who stands at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, played in 53 games at the USHL level last season. During that time, he recorded 17 points (eight goals and nine assists) along with 59 penalty minutes. Elite Prospects had him ranked as the 149th prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft, but he was not selected.
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“Martinu motors through battles and confrontations, often finishing hits and running guys over,” Elite Prospects wrote in their 2026 Draft Guide. “His defensive pace is high in all situations, working to both kill plays on the backcheck and seal against cycles. This will likely be his calling card at future levels, provided that his lateral skating and edges improve.”
While there is some belief that Martinu could theoretically become a fourth-line center at the NHL level if his development goes perfectly, he’s more likely to become a regular at the AHL level during his prime.
While Martinu is a raw talent, it’ll be interesting to see how he’s able to perform against some of the NHL’s top prospects.
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