FORT LAUDERDALE – Hunter St. Martin has been preparing for this for his whole life. 

After being taken in the sixth round (193^rd overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old booked it to South Florida — his first time in the state — to attend his fist-ever NHL camp.

Although he is new to the Florida Panthers, his passion for the ice runs deep.

The Alberta native owes his passion for hockey to his parents – his dad, a former hockey standout in the WHL, and his mom, an accomplished Olympic figure skater.

“My parents are incredibly dedicated individuals,” St. Martin expressed to FloridaPanthers.com. “They have worked tirelessly to create their own success, which has provided me with the opportunity to forge my own unique journey.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, St. Martin, a second-generation Tiger, was drafted into the WHL by Medicine Hat. This is the same team that his father, Blair, had played for between 1994 and 1998.

St. Martin believes he is making progress with the Tigers after completing two seasons with the team.

He mentioned that during his initial complete year, he acquired a solid foundation of knowledge and skills as a junior player.

St. Martin showcased his introduction to the WHL in the 2022-23 season, accumulating a total of 22 points (8 goals, 14 assists) throughout 61 games.

During the recent season, a remarkable change occurred as everything began to fall into place.

In the 2023-24 season, he managed to accumulate a total of 52 points (24-28-52) in 68 games, effectively doubling his previous point total.

St. Martin expressed, “In the past year, I was given a greater opportunity, which I saw as a moment to thrive.”

Flourish, he did.

When questioned about the growth experienced from one year to another, the quick scorer responded by stating that one should focus on the things within their control. They emphasized the importance of working hard, playing their game, and having faith in their own process.

St. Martin’s trust in the process played a crucial role in their journey to the Panthers.

In 2023, he experienced the disappointment of going undrafted, but now he has a viable opportunity to pursue a professional career in South Florida.

“It truly feels surreal,” St. Martin expressed, reflecting on the experience of being drafted by the Panthers. “To witness this team triumph in the Stanley Cup, and then to have my name chosen by them, it’s truly remarkable.”

During his inaugural development camp, St. Martin is endeavoring to absorb everything. This encompasses grasping the physical demands of the organization as well as adopting the mindset required to become a Panther.

He stated that they clearly possess the knowledge and skills necessary for victory, and you acquire all those principles.

During the four-day camp at Baptist Health IcePlex, the aspiring prospect has been diligently embracing every opportunity to learn and develop new skills through various drills.

He remarked, “You are gradually acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to become a professional.”

As he takes those steps, he is aspiring to emulate the game of a current Panther.

“He’s fast, he works hard, and he’s a two-way player,” St. Martin stated, referring to Eetu Luostarinen.

Getting to work is the top priority for a player who has recently joined an NHL pipeline.

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