Record-setting goaltender Martin re-signs with K-Wings

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo Wings, ECHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, have re-signed goaltender Joel Martinto a contract for the 2017-18 season.

Martin, 34, returns to the Wings for his ninth season with the team and 14th professional campaign in 2017-18. The veteran goaltender appeared in 41 games last year, posting a 19-18-2 record, with a 3.18 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

The native of Three Hills, Alberta, has made the ECHL and K-Wings’ record books his second home, as the long-time Kalamazoo netminder is the team's all-time leader in wins (207), and shutouts (21), while ranking second in club history in games played (373) and minutes (21,825). Martin has also gotten comfortable in ECHL record books as well, as he ranks in the top five 15 separate times in 12 different categories including fourth in wins (177) and minutes played (20,032) and fifth among netminders in games played (345).

Over the course of 13 seasons with 13 separate teams in seven different leagues on two continents, Martin has accrued 294 career victories, 25 shutouts, a .910 save percentage and a 2.87 goals-against average.

Martin backstopped Kalamazoo’s last title team, the 2006 Colonial Cup-winning Wings of the United Hockey League. Martin has only missed the postseason in one season since turning pro.

Prior to making his professional debut in 2003 with the Bakersfield Condors, Martin spent three seasons in the Western Hockey League with Lethbridge, Tri-City, Vancouver and Calgary, where he appeared in 123 games, posting a 46-50-9 record with a 3.24 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage.