Hockey and hard work are taking Tristan Martin to Olds, Alta., where he will join the Olds Grizzlys in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).
Martin is from St. Vincent, but over the years has played hockey with Mallaig Minor Hockey, Bonnyville Minor Hockey, the AA Lakeland Panthers, and most recently spent four years playing AAA hockey in Lloydminster with the AAA Bobcats as a bantam and midget. He has now signed with the Olds Grizzlys for the upcoming AJHL hockey season.
Martin, who is born in 2002, started playing hockey in Mallaig at the age of four. When he was about nine years old, he decided to become a goalie.
When asked why he decided to take on the position of goalie, Martin says, "It was more of an adrenaline rush for me with all the pressure that is on you to stop the puck."
Martin credits the commitment of his hockey and goalie coaches with helping him reach his goals. In return, he has volunteered his own time, working with younger goalies while he was in Lloydminster.
He also gives credit to his family and billet families that have supported him throughout his four seasons in Lloydminster. Martin says they welcomed him like a member of their own family. For the past two season, he stayed with the Tourand family, and they were some of his biggest supporters. Martin was grateful to be able to give back by helping their youngest son develop his skill as a goalie.
During the 2019/20 hockey season, the Olds Grizzlys approached Martin, asking what his future plans were. They offered him a Letter of Intent to play with them, and he signed it in March.
Martin says he is "truly grateful for the opportunity" and he will continue to push himself. He recognizes that hockey is highly competitive and understands he needs to keep performing to reach his goals. He adds that his ultimate goal is to play hockey on a scholarship somewhere.
Last season, Martin posted a 2.60 goals against average with a .920 save percentage while leading all goaltenders in minutes played.
