Predators Prospects Reunite at Rookie Camp
Nashville's young players are ready to compete in the Prospect Showcase kicking off on Friday.
Hockey is gearing up in Nashville and the action kicks off with the Prospect Tournament September 12-15. Thursday morning twenty-two prospects and two invitees practiced at Centennial Sportsplex before heading out in the afternoon to Florida where they will face off against prospects from the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Carolina Hurricanes.
The camaraderie and confidence among Nashville’s prospects is evident. Even newcomer Brady Martin is feeling at home with his new teammates.
“I think we have a great group. I think it will be a lot of fun,” the 2025 fifth overall pick shared. “I think we’re going to have a really good team and a good shot to win all three games.”
Forward Cole O’Hara shared that sentiment.
“I’m excited to be back. It’s always fun to be back with the guys. It will be fun this weekend trying to prove ourselves and play some good hockey.”
Many of the Predators’ prospects stay in touch through their individual hockey seasons and look forward to reuniting at the franchise’s camps.
“Some of us have been together for a couple years. There’s a couple new guys, so it will be a good experience,” defenseman Andrew Gibson said after practice Thursday.
“We’ve got a pretty tight group,” he continued. “Practice is flowing nice, there’s a lot of camaraderie in the room so it’s good.”
Gibson and fellow defenseman Tanner Molendyk came to Nashville early and spent time together ahead of Thursday’s start to Rookie Camp.
“We’ve grown really tight over the last couple of years both on and off the ice, so it’s pretty cool to be with him again,” Gibson said.
Brady Martin was also in town early and spent time with some of Nashville’s veterans learning how they train and prepare for the season.
“Being on the ice with some of the veterans is really cool,” Martin said. “As a young guy it’s pretty cool to have them around to learn tips and tricks from them.”
Martin lived with Filip Forsberg and his family while in Nashville.
“It was great,” Martin said of his time with the Forbergs. “It was a lot of fun. Him and his wife are great and little baby Felix was awesome.”
Martin did not get asked to babysit and joked that he didn’t think Fil and Erin trust him with the baby.
Martin spent last Saturday helping with the Forsberg Hockey Camp which was a new experience highlighting Forsberg’s role in the community.
“I’d never really done anything like that with a lot of kids. To see [Forsberg] having fun just playing with all the kids was a lot of fun,” Martin said.
“That was really cool.”
Coached by Karl Taylor and the Milwaukee Admirals staff, Martin, O’Hara, Gibson and the rest of the roster are ready to get back to competitive hockey at the tournament.
“I’m excited to just get back playing,” Gibson said after practice.
“You go all summer and just do skill skates. My game is pretty hard. I like hitting and blocking shots so I’m looking forward to that the most.”
The Predators prospects kick off their tournament play Friday against Tampa Bay at 4:00 pm CT. Saturday they face Carolina’s prospects at 1:00 pm CT and round out the competition with a game Monday at 11:00 am CT against Florida. The prospect will return to Nashville after the tournament and prepare for Training Camp which begins September 17.