K-Wings’ all-time winningest goaltender returns for ninth season

KALAMAZOO, MI—The Kalamazoo Wings, proud affiliates of the Vancouver Canucks, have re-signed goaltender Joel Martin to a standard professional contract, the team announced Tuesday.

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 2.94 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 franchise leader in wins (207), and shutouts (21), while ranking second in franchise 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.

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.

Though Martin has made himself a household name throughout his decorated career, he returns to the Wings with the ultimate goal of winning another championship.

“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Wings this season,” Martin said. “We have a really special group of guys coming back. I believe this is our year.”

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

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