Joel Martin Feels Honored as a Black Coach in the ECHL

Joel Martin became one of two active Black head coaches in North American pro hockey this season. He's part of a team "that lives and breathes diversity."

Joel Martin isn’t the first, and he won’t be the last. But as one of only two Black head coaches in North American professional men’s hockey, his presence in the sport is making a significant impact.

Following a 15-year professional hockey career, Martin entered the coaching world in 2018-19 with the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings, the same organization he played with for nine seasons. First serving as an assistant coach and the team’s goaltending coach, Martin was hired as the organization’s head coach last off-season.

“For me, it was a dream come true,” Martin said. “I have so much love for this organization and this town.”

Upon his hiring, the ECHL Hall of Fame inductee became only the seventh Black person in professional men’s hockey history to serve as a head coach in North America and one of only two active Black head coaches.

The other active Black head coach is fellow ECHL bench boss Jason Payne, who coaches the Cincinnati Cyclones. When the Wings announced Martin’s hiring, Payne was one of the first people to reach out to Martin and remains a mentor today.

“He’s someone I can lean on when I do have questions, and is someone that has a similar past playing minor pro, becoming an assistant, and then taking over as a head coach in this league,” said Martin.

The significance of his role as a coach has not been lost on Martin, who played his junior hockey in the WHL. He understands many youths and people of color will look to him as a role model and inspiration.

“It’s extremely humbling being in the situation I’m in as one of only two Black head coaches in North America, it’s an honor,” said Martin. “I feel like my role right now is to try to represent the Black community and the BIPOC community the best I can, and try to pave the road moving forward for people that come after myself.”

When youth in Kalamazoo and across the ECHL see Martin behind the bench, he said he hopes they see a person that looks like them. It’s also a sign they can play and coach hockey with space for them in the sport. Whether it’s Payne or another Black Kalamazoo Wings alumni, Bernie Saunders, Martin has looked to those around him as the next generation now looks at him.

While the sport is evolving, racism still exists. But Martin said he realized more about this change while discussing the sport with Saunders, who was only the fifth Black person to play in an NHL game.

“Talking to Bernie and hearing his stories, I asked him what has changed since he played, and you realize a lot has changed,” Martin said. “I didn’t have to go through anything compared to what he had to go through. When I asked him what changed, he said, ‘I’m looking at the change.’ He meant I was the change, me being in this coaching position.”

“It’s awesome to see that there is change happening,” Martin said. “It’s not perfect, it probably never will be, and there will still be things that arise… but I think you can see a big change in what’s happening, and that’s a positive.”

In many ways, Martin does represent change in the sport, although he also faced racism as a player. As a coach who can now impact young players, he said he hopes to instill the ideas of diversity, equity and inclusion into his players, much as the Kalamazoo Wings organization has done with the team and community.

According to Martin, the Kalamazoo Wings are not just hosting special events like their sold-out Rainbow Ice Pride Night game but also doing work in the community and their own organization.

“They’re not just putting on promotional nights, Hockey is For Everyone and things like that – the organization is actually living it,” said Martin. “We have a woman as our general manager, a Black man as the head coach, there are other people of color working in the organization, LGBTQ+ people working for the organization – Kalamazoo is an organization that lives and breathes diversity and promotes it.”

Martin, who lives with his wife and two sons in Kalamazoo, Mich., could someday pave a larger path. At 40 years old, it’s not inconceivable that Martin could one day become the first Black head coach in NHL history. For now, however, Martin is happy in Kalamazoo. He’s focused on where he is and being the best coach possible for the Wings.

“Right now, I’m just trying to be where my feet are,” he said. “I’m not looking too far ahead – I’m just trying to stay in the moment and do the best I can here.”