Jordan Martinook Bio
Jordan Martinook is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a left winger and alternate captain for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the second round, 58th overall, of the 2012 NHL entry draft. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing roughly 203 pounds, Martinook is recognized for his physical, hardworking style and his role as a dependable two-way forward.
Originally from the Canadian Prairies, Martinook spent his formative years in Western Canada before climbing the junior hockey ranks and breaking into the NHL. He has since become a respected veteran presence in the Hurricanes locker room, contributing on the penalty kill, in the faceoff circle, and as a leader among his teammates.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Martinook was born on July 25, 1992, in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Due to his father’s position in the oil industry, his family relocated to Leduc, Alberta, where he was raised. Growing up in Leduc, Martinook developed into a devoted Edmonton Oilers fan and played his earliest organized hockey in the local youth system.
He competed with the Leduc Oil Kings in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League, the foundation that shaped his development as a competitive two-way winger. He also auditioned for the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League but was twice cut during their 2008 and 2009 training camps. As a 16-year-old, he skated in two games with the Drayton Valley Thunder of the Alberta Junior Hockey League before joining them on a full-time basis for the 2009–10 season. In his rookie campaign, Martinook tallied 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points through 59 games.
After being released from Lethbridge’s 50-man protected list midway through the 2009–10 season, Martinook’s playing rights were picked up by the Vancouver Giants of the WHL in 2010. This move launched his major junior career and set the stage for his eventual NHL draft selection.
Path to Professional Hockey
Martinook spent two seasons with the Vancouver Giants from 2010 to 2012, playing 144 WHL games and registering 51 goals, 41 assists, 92 points, and 147 penalty minutes. His blend of physicality, scoring touch, and willingness to play a hard, north-south style caught the attention of NHL scouts during his draft year.
His play in the WHL translated to a second-round selection by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2012 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Coyotes on September 1, 2012, beginning his professional journey. That summer launch marked the start of a winding road that included stints in the American Hockey League and a steady climb toward a full-time NHL role.
Jordan Martinook Career
Phoenix / Arizona Coyotes Era (2012–2018)
Martinook’s first full NHL season came in 2015–16, when he played 81 games for the Coyotes and recorded 9 goals and 24 points. The following year, he tallied 25 points in 77 games, cementing his place in the Coyotes lineup. On July 22, 2017, the organization rewarded his development with a two-year, $3.6 million contract that paid $1.8 million annually, a deal that avoided arbitration.
Through the 2017–18 campaign, Martinook established himself as a hard-working bottom-six forward, finishing with six goals and nine assists in 81 games before being dealt. On May 3, 2018, the Carolina Hurricanes acquired Martinook and a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL entry draft from the Coyotes in exchange for Marcus Krüger and a third-round pick. The move signaled a new chapter in his NHL career.
Carolina Hurricanes Breakthrough (2018–Present)
Martinook wasted no time making an impact with the Hurricanes. On November 23, 2018, he scored his first career NHL hat trick in a 4–1 win over the Florida Panthers. He finished his first season in Carolina with career highs in goals, shots, and hits, and matched his previous high in points. During the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, he battled through a lower-body injury to record four assists in 10 games before undergoing surgery to repair a core muscle injury.
Before the 2019–20 season, Martinook was named an alternate captain alongside defenseman Jaccob Slavin and captain Jordan Staal. He signed a two-year contract extension on January 29, 2019, after posting 10 goals and 13 points through 50 games, ranking sixth among Hurricanes skaters at the time of the deal. He underwent another core muscle surgery on October 10, 2019, and missed 15 games before being activated off injured reserve on November 15, 2019.
In January 2021, Martinook was one of four Hurricanes players added to the NHL’s COVID-19 Protocol list. During the 2021 off-season, he had meniscal debridement surgery on his right knee. While still recovering, he was signed to a three-year, $5.4 million contract extension to remain with Carolina.
Driving Style and Strengths
Martinook is best described as a hard-nosed, two-way left winger who thrives in a physical, structured system. He plays a heavy forechecking game, is reliable on the penalty kill, and consistently ranks among his team’s leaders in hits and shot-blocking. Coaches have praised his accountability, his willingness to play through injuries, and his impact in defensive-zone faceoffs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of his career, Martinook’s first NHL hat trick against the Florida Panthers in 2018 stands out as a signature moment. He reached the Stanley Cup playoffs with Carolina, served as an alternate captain, and signed multiple contract extensions reflecting his importance to the franchise. His ability to deliver timely goals and energy-line contributions has made him a key piece of the Hurricanes’ modern identity.
Jordan Martinook Personal Life
Family Background and Personal Life
Jordan Martinook was raised in Leduc, Alberta, where his father’s work in the oil industry brought the family. He grew up in a household shaped by the rigors of that line of work and the strong hockey culture of Western Canada. He is married to his wife, Courtney, and together they have three children.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering 2025, Martinook remains a trusted alternate captain and energy-line fixture for the Carolina Hurricanes. His role within Rod Brind’Amour’s system continues to emphasize physicality, penalty killing, and veteran leadership in a young Hurricanes lineup that has become a perennial Eastern Conference contender. As Carolina pushes for another deep playoff run, Martinook’s blend of experience and two-way play is expected to remain central to the team’s identity.