After the 2013 Draft, I had the pleasure of interviewing the Colorado Avalanche third-round pick and Oakville, Ontario native goalie Spencer Martin. In my scouting days, Spencer was a player I knew would have a long path to the NHL but once he’s there he would be a solid backup. During this interview Spencer was professional and on numerous occasions helped Elite Scouting gain the small notoriety that it had. While this interview took place over Facebook, it was never posted to the Elite Scouting website.
With the draft now over Spencer was poised to take on a larger role this upcoming season in Mississauga if he doesn’t make Colorado out of camp.
“I'm a big aggressive goalie and I like to use my skating to challenge shooters. I want to continue to improve my game all around and become and take on a bigger leadership role in Mississauga”
A leadership role is expected for the 19-year-old goalie. Mississauga recently went through a redesign of the former St. Mike’s franchise and with Spencer at the helm the team is looking to make a larger push this upcoming season. But last season is not one to forget, with now an NHL draft in his books last year may have been one of his more memorable seasons of hockey.
“I’ll never forget it! Very surreal and the energy in New Jersey and the building was awesome. Also playing in the top prospects game and playing on team Canada was incredible.”
With such a big season ahead of him the former Leafs and Sabres describe his style as “trying to grab something from everyone” and it shows. While the butterfly style has become the new norm Spencer’s game can be described as a hybrid style. Not quite full butterfly but not a standup goalie either. Being drafted by Mississauga in the OHL draft just two years prior the now Steelheads seem to have been the right call for the goalie since the age of 4. Spencer credits a lot of his success to Mississauga.
“All my teammates and Kory Cooper the goalie coach in Mississauga have helped me a lot getting to where I am”
When looking at the history of goaltending in Colorado Spencer has some big shoes to fill, but he isn’t out of practice. The OHL is one of the most renowned development leagues in the world and has prepared Spencer by facing him against some of the best in the world. Playing in the Canada Winter-Games he went up against the likes of 1st overall pick Nathan Mackinnon and 3rd overall pick Jonathan Drouin but the young goalie credits OHL rookie Connor McDavid has the most difficult opponent he has ever faced.
Looking back at this draft Spencer has had a rocky few years playing professional hockey. While graduating from the OHL Spencer has since bounced around from the AHL and ECHL affiliate teams of the Colorado Avalanche only playing 3 games for the big club. This season he’s with a new NHL team, Tampa Bay and has played in 21 AHL with a 7-9-1 record and a 2-2 record in the lower-ranked ECHL league. 25 is young for a goalie so hopefully, Spencer gets the opportunity he needs to stick with a big club sooner than later.
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