KALAMAZOO, MI - The Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association (KOHA) has landed a familiar face as the newest addition to its 2018/19 KOHA Skills Staff. Goaltender Joel Martin backstopped the Kalamazoo Wings for 9 seasons, recently retired from playing and accepted a position behind the bench with the K-Wings as an Assistant Coach.
Martin ended his 14 year playing career in Kalamazoo as the franchise's all-time leader in wins, shutouts, games played, minutes played, and saves. Martin was named ECHL Goaltender of the Week 9 times and had three 30-win seasons, both of which are League records.
Martin, who was born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada said he is "excited about the opportunity to meet and work with the up and coming talent in Kalamazoo as part of the KOHA Skills Staff."
KOHA's Hockey Director, Matt Kakabeeke, is looking forward to having another elite goaltender on staff, "Recruitment and development of the goaltender position has been a club initiative for the last couple of seasons, and each year, I work with our goalie coaches to assess how we can continue to be better for our players. Joel brings not only the experience and knowledge of today's game, but a passion and work ethic that will fit in great with our current staff. I am excited for him to get on the ice with our young goalies as well as our coaches."
GETTING TO KNOW JOEL MARTIN:
Hobbies: cycling and rock climbing
Favorite video game: Call of Duty
Favorite food: Pizza
If he wasn't a hockey player, he'd be: An oilfield worker
Best prank he was part of: Changing a teammates nameplate with white tape when his family was in town to watch
Advice for young players: Be a good teammate
WELCOME TO KOHA, JOEL! WE WILL SEE YOU AROUND THE RINK!
