Spencer Martin Bio
Spencer Martin is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently a member of the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 201 pounds, the Oakville, Ontario native plays the position of goaltender and catches with his left hand. Martin was selected 63rd overall in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.
Over the course of his professional career, Martin has appeared in the NHL for the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Carolina Hurricanes. He also had a brief international stint with HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) before returning to North America to join the Rangers organization.
Early Life and Background
Spencer Martin was born on June 8, 1995, in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in southern Ontario, he developed his love for hockey at a young age and joined local minor programs. Like many Canadian boys, he spent winters on outdoor rinks and quickly gravitated toward the goaltending position, a decision that would shape the rest of his life.
As his skills progressed, Martin advanced to the midget hockey level, where he played for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens program. His performances at this level caught the attention of Ontario Hockey League scouts, and he established himself as one of the top goaltending prospects in his age group across Canada.
Path to Professional Hockey
Martin’s standout play in midget hockey earned him a high selection in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection, when the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors chose him 18th overall. He made his OHL debut during the 2011–12 season, appearing in 15 games in the final campaign under the Majors name. The team was renamed the Mississauga Steelheads for the following season.
With the Steelheads, Martin continued to develop into a starting-caliber goaltender. He was an invited participant at the 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game, where he led Team Orr to a rare shutout victory. Heading into the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Martin was regarded as one of the top goaltending prospects in North America. He was the fifth goaltender selected that year, going 63rd overall to the Colorado Avalanche.
Spencer Martin Career
Early Career (2011–2015)
During the 2013–14 season, Martin appeared in a league-high 64 games and 3,562 minutes with the Steelheads, posting 24 wins. His strong performance in his draft-plus-one year cemented his reputation as a workhorse goaltender with a high ceiling.
In his final season of major junior hockey, Martin was signed by the Avalanche to a three-year entry-level contract on October 5, 2014. He transitioned to the professional ranks soon after, joining the Colorado Avalanche organization for the 2015–16 season.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2015–2019)
After spending his first professional seasons developing in the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage, Martin reached a career high in games played during the 2016–17 season, appearing in 50 contests. His strong play earned him a selection to the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic, the first and only Rampage goaltender to be honored with that selection.
That same season, on January 21, 2017, Martin made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in a 3–2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. Although he could not participate in the All-Star Classic due to recalls from the parent club, he continued to develop his game. On July 16, 2018, he signed a one-year contract extension with the Avalanche. However, his time in Colorado came to an end on June 25, 2019, when the team did not tender him a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent.
Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks Era (2019–2023)
On July 1, 2019, Martin signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was one of eight players called up to the Lightning for their training camp ahead of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. On May 3, 2021, he signed a one-year, two-way extension to remain with the organization.
On July 31, 2021, Martin was traded by the Lightning to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for future considerations. He began the 2021–22 season with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, posting a 5–0–2 record with a 2.24 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. After Jaroslav Halák was placed on COVID-19 protocol, Martin was recalled to the parent club on January 15, 2022. He made his first NHL appearance in nearly five years on January 21, turning aside 33 shots in a 2–1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers and earning the game’s first star. He recorded his first NHL win on January 27, stopping 33 shots in a 5–1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.
Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes Era (2023–2025)
On September 29, 2023, the Columbus Blue Jackets claimed Martin off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks. He made his debut with the Blue Jackets on October 14, 2023, replacing Elvis Merzļikins during a 5–3 victory over the New York Rangers. After posting three wins in 13 games, he was surpassed for the backup role by Daniil Tarasov and was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes on January 19, 2024.
During the 2024–25 season, Martin was recalled from the Chicago Wolves on October 28, 2024, to replace an injured Frederik Andersen. On November 16, 2024, he recorded his first career NHL shutout as the Hurricanes defeated the Ottawa Senators 4–0. He made nine appearances with Carolina before being reassigned to the Wolves, where he posted 20 wins in 31 starts and helped the club return to the postseason.
Hartford Wolf Pack and New York Rangers Era (2025–Present)
As a free agent following his contract with the Hurricanes, Martin signed a two-year deal with Russian club HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL on July 2, 2025. However, just four months into his tenure, he was waived by the team on November 5. On November 12, he signed a two-year contract with the New York Rangers, who assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Martin’s career came on January 27, 2022, when he earned his first NHL win in his first start as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, stopping 33 shots in a 5–1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. He also recorded his first career shutout on November 16, 2024, with the Carolina Hurricanes. Earlier in his development, he led Team Orr to a rare shutout win at the 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game, signaling his arrival as a top prospect.
Spencer Martin Family
Personal Life
Spencer Martin is a Catholic Christian. While he grew up in a Catholic household, he began to attend church services and Bible studies more frequently just prior to attending university. It was during a Bible study that he met his wife, Danielle Jones. Martin proposed to Jones in 2024.
2025 Season Performance
Martin’s 2025 season began in Russia after he signed a two-year contract with HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL on July 2, 2025. The move represented his first professional venture outside of North America. However, the stint abroad was short-lived, as he was waived by the Russian club on November 5, 2025, just four months after arriving.
Less than a week later, on November 12, 2025, Martin signed a two-year contract with the New York Rangers and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. His transition back to the North American professional ranks provides him with a familiar environment and an opportunity to compete for an NHL roster spot within the Rangers organization.
