By Taylor Johnson (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: October 31, 2012
Starting out in small town Saskatchewan, Jordan Martinook quickly developed a love for hockey. His talent and determination took him from Alberta home town teams, Leduc Oil Kings and Drayton Valley Thunder into the WHL. After two years with the Vancouver Giants and an impressive 40 goal and 24 assists in his 2011-2012 season. Martinook at age 20, was selected 58th overall to the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2012 draft and signed a three-year contract with the team.
When and where did you start playing hockey?
I started playing when I was four years old in Estevan, Saskatchewan. First season I hated it, would not even skate I just sat on the ice and played with the snow. Then the next year I just took off.
How often did you play? Did you like it?
When I was younger [I] probably only played twice a week. Then as you get older there is more practices and games so as I have gotten older [I’ve played] just more and more days of the week and now it’s every day of the week.
Growing up if you weren’t playing hockey, what were you doing?
I would probably be doing something hockey related. Street hockey, playing video games, or chasing girls – that’s supposed to be a joke
Who is your idol? Why?
My idol from a hockey perspective would probably be Brooks Laich who plays for the Washington Capitals. He just plays the game I want to play and he has worked his way up to the NHL which is something I am going to have to do.
Best advice you were ever given and want to pass on to someone else?
Always work hard, train hard, and don’t take a second off because there is always someone trying to take your job.
Favourite team you played for? Most intense game you have ever played? Why does it stand out, and who were you playing for/against?
Vancouver Giants. Favourite game I have played in would have to be last year’s Gordie Howe night game. I got a Gordie Howe hat trick against Kamloops when he was in the building. [That is] something really special that I won’t forget.
Have you always wanted to play professional hockey? If yes, who did you want to play for and why? If no, what did you want to do instead and why?
Yes I have always wanted to play professionally. And to be honest it didn’t matter which team to me as long as I made it. And right now I’m pretty close.
Best memory with the Giants and was it hard to leave the team?
Just being a part of such a great organization the way they treated me and helped me develop as a hockey player means so much to me. Yes it was hard to leave, but knowing that I was moving on to a better league with better players was nice.
How did you find out you were being drafted to play with the Coyotes (was it a phone call, someone came up and told you at a game, what happened). What was the first thing that came to mind?
I was watching the NHL draft on TV and then my agent called me and asked me if I had seen who picked me and I hadn’t yet so then it came up on the TV and I was almost in shock. Then the general manager and assistant general manager called me and talked to me.
How has the lock out affected your contract? How has it affected other players?
It has affected me personally by not being able to go to my first NHL camp to have a shot at trying to make the team, and obviously as you and I see, it is affecting not just every player in my situation but full-time NHLers and the owners and most of all the fans.
The day before a game you… What superstitions do you have before a game or after a game?
Ah I don’t really have any superstitions I just like to eat pasta and kind of just go along in the same routine I usually do. Maybe get a half-hour nap in or something.
Worst injuries you’ve had/seen, what happened?
I haven’t really had a major injury. This year I had a hairline fracture on my ankle and that’s been the most if it. I have seen some pretty bad concussions which is always scary.
Something you are looking forward to this next year and why?
I’m just excited to be playing professionally, and be living on my own, and having new experiences with my career.
In five years where do you want to be and what do you want to be doing?
In five years I hope to be playing in the NHL or professionally somewhere. Hopefully be onto my second contract and be settling down in my life with a wife and kids if that were to happen.
What’s something really exciting that has happened to you lately?
I have been involved in an earthquake and hurricane all within two weeks of each other out here on the East Coast which is pretty wild.
