Spencer Martin Bio
Spencer Martin (born June 8, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays the goaltender position for 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 191 cm tall and weighing 91 kg, Martin is known for his size, patience, and shot-blocking ability in the crease. He was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round, 63rd overall, in the 2013 NHL entry draft and has since appeared in the NHL for the Vancouver Canucks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Carolina Hurricanes, in addition to a brief stint with HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Early Life and Background
Spencer Martin was born on June 8, 1995, in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Growing up in a hockey-rich province, he took to the game at a young age and progressed through the Ontario minor hockey system. Before joining major junior ranks, Martin played midget hockey with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, one of the most respected development programs in the country. His early years in Oakville helped him build the technical foundation and mental toughness that would later define his goaltending style.
Family details for Spencer Martin are not publicly documented in reliable sources. What is well established is the role that Ontario’s youth hockey infrastructure played in his development, particularly the time spent with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens program. By the time he reached draft eligibility, Martin had already shown the size and composure that scouts look for in a modern goaltender prospect.
Path to Professional Hockey
Spencer Martin’s path to professional hockey began when he was selected 18th overall by the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors in the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. He made his Ontario Hockey League debut during the 2011–12 season, appearing in 15 games in the final campaign before the franchise was renamed the Mississauga Steelheads. During the 2012–13 season, Martin earned an invitation to the CHL Top Prospects Game, where he led Team Orr to a rare shutout win and cemented his status as a top goaltending prospect ahead of the 2013 NHL entry draft.
Leading into that draft, Martin was rated as one of the top goaltenders available. He was the fifth goaltender selected when the Colorado Avalanche called his name 63rd overall in the third round. Martin spent two more seasons as the Steelheads’ starting goaltender, including a 2013–14 campaign in which he appeared in a league-high 64 games while posting 24 wins. On October 5, 2014, the Avalanche signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract, officially launching his professional career.
Spencer Martin Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Spencer Martin began his professional career in the AHL with the San Antonio Rampage, the top affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. During the 2016–17 season, he played a career-high 50 games and was selected for the 2017 AHL All-Star Classic, becoming the first Rampage goaltender ever chosen for the event. The 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. He signed a one-year contract extension with Colorado on July 16, 2018, but his tenure ended when the Avalanche did not tender him a qualifying offer on June 25, 2019.
On July 1, 2019, Martin agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning and joined their organization. He was one of eight players called up to the Lightning for their 2020 Stanley Cup playoff training camp, gaining valuable experience in a championship-caliber environment. Martin signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with Tampa Bay on May 3, 2021, keeping him in the organization through that summer.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2021–2023)
On July 31, 2021, the Tampa Bay Lightning traded Spencer Martin to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for future considerations. He began the 2021–22 season with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, where he posted a 5–0–2 record with a 2.24 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and one shutout across seven appearances. A standout 23-save performance against the San Diego Gulls highlighted his strong start in the minors.
Martin was called up to the parent club on January 15, 2022, after backup netminder Jaroslav Halák was placed on COVID-19 protocol, and starter Thatcher Demko later tested positive on January 20. Making his first NHL appearance in nearly five years on January 21, Martin turned aside 33 shots in a 2–1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers and was named the game’s first star. He followed up with a 47-save effort in a 3–2 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on January 25, then earned his first NHL win on January 27 by stopping 33 shots in a 5–1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. He was reassigned to Abbotsford on January 30 once Demko and Halák returned.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2023–2024)
On September 29, 2023, the Columbus Blue Jackets claimed Spencer Martin off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks. He made his Blue Jackets debut on October 14, 2023, replacing starter Elvis Merzļikins during a 5–3 victory over the New York Rangers. Used in a rotation throughout the early portion of the season, Martin posted three wins across 13 appearances before being surpassed for the backup role by Daniil Tarasov. On January 19, 2024, the Blue Jackets placed him on waivers and the Carolina Hurricanes claimed him the same day.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2024–2025)
Spencer Martin joined the Carolina Hurricanes mid-season and was assigned to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. On October 28, 2024, he was recalled to replace an injured Frederik Andersen, and on November 16, 2024, he recorded his first career NHL shutout as the Hurricanes defeated the Ottawa Senators 4–0. Across nine appearances with Carolina, however, Martin was unable to find consistent form and was reassigned to the Wolves for the remainder of the season. Serving as the Wolves’ starting goaltender, he posted 20 wins in 31 appearances and helped the club return to the AHL postseason.
Hartford Wolf Pack Era (2025–Present)
As a free agent at the end of his Hurricanes contract, Spencer Martin signed a two-year contract with Russian club HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL on July 2, 2025. Just four months into his tenure, however, CSKA waived him on November 5. On November 12, 2025, Martin signed a two-year contract with the New York Rangers, who immediately assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. The move returned the veteran goaltender to North America and gave the Rangers organization additional depth between the pipes.
Driving Style and Strengths
Spencer Martin plays a composed, positionally sound goaltending style built on his 191 cm frame and active blocker hand. He tracks pucks well through traffic and has shown a willingness to challenge shooters, which was evident in his 47-save performance against the Edmonton Oilers and his first NHL shutout against the Ottawa Senators. Coaches have consistently praised his professionalism and preparation, traits that have allowed him to step into NHL games despite long stretches in the AHL.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the most memorable moments in Spencer Martin’s career include his shutout win at the 2013 CHL Top Prospects Game, his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche on January 21, 2017, and his first NHL win with the Vancouver Canucks on January 27, 2022. Recording his first NHL shutout with the Carolina Hurricanes on November 16, 2024, and helping the Chicago Wolves return to the AHL postseason further underline the milestones that have defined his journeyman career.
Spencer Martin Career Wins
Spencer Martin has compiled wins at every level of professional hockey, including the AHL, NHL, and briefly the KHL. His most meaningful victories came during the 2021–22 season with the Vancouver Canucks, when he earned his first NHL win against the Winnipeg Jets and posted a perfect 5–0–2 record with the Abbotsford Canucks to begin the year. With the Chicago Wolves in 2024–25, he added 20 wins in 31 appearances while guiding the club back to the AHL postseason.
International Play Highlights
Representing Canada at the under-18 level, Spencer Martin won a bronze medal with Team Ontario at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and added another bronze with Canada’s national under-18 team at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships. In 2013, he helped Canada’s under-18 team capture a gold medal at the IIHF World U18 Championships, one of the most celebrated achievements of his junior career.
Spencer Martin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Spencer Martin’s family background is limited, and reliable sources do not detail his parents or any extended family ties to hockey. What is documented is his Ontario upbringing and his development within the Toronto Jr. Canadiens midget program, which laid the groundwork for his OHL career.
Personal Life
Details about Spencer Martin’s spouse, children, and personal relationships are not publicly available in verified sources. He is known to be a Canadian citizen, and his professional life has taken him across multiple cities in North America and a brief stretch in Russia.
2025 Season Performance
Spencer Martin’s 2025 calendar year has been defined by significant movement between organizations. After signing with HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL in July 2025, he was waived by the Russian club on November 5 and quickly found a new home in North America. On November 12, 2025, he signed a two-year contract with the New York Rangers and was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, giving him a stable platform to compete for the Rangers organization.
With the Wolf Pack, Martin is expected to anchor the AHL goaltending rotation while remaining an emergency call-up option for New York. His track record of stepping into NHL games on short notice, including standout performances with Vancouver and Carolina, makes him a reliable depth piece for the Rangers. The two-year contract also provides Martin with a chance to re-establish himself as an everyday starter at the AHL level.
Looking ahead, Martin will look to build consistency with Hartford and position himself for another NHL opportunity. His combination of size, experience, and recent success at multiple levels gives him a clear path to contributing to the Rangers’ goaltending pipeline over the next two seasons.