It’s been a hectic few months for New York Rangers goaltender Spencer Martin.
Martin spent the 2024-25 season with the Carolina Hurricanes, but spent most of his time in the American Hockey League with the Chicago Wolves.
During the summer, Martin signed a contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL. He played in just 14 KHL games before his contract was terminated in mid-November.
That led to the opportunity for Martin to sign a two-year contract with the New York Rangers. He played one game in Hartford before being called up by the Blueshirts with Jonathan Quick landing on injured reserve.
From Carolina to Chicago to Russia to Hartford, to New York, Martin has been all over the place, which has taught him some valuable lessons.
“Lots of opportunities that I was blessed to have,” Martin said. “I'm learning that you can make a plan, but sometimes God's plan is gonna be the way it goes. I couldn't be happier to be here now that after moving around the last few months and experiencing different things, it's exciting to be in an organization like this.”
The Rangers signed Martin to add some more goaltending depth, as he’s more equipped to step up if necessary as opposed to Dylan Garand and Callum Tung, two younger players with no NHL experience.
For the 30-year-old goalie, joining a historic Original Six team of the Rangers’ caliber felt like the perfect step for him to take.
“Just meeting their staff and hearing how they view working with me, it's just really exciting,” Martin said about why he signed with the Rangers. “Obviously, being a New York Ranger speaks for itself. It's an honor, and it's just one of the coolest feelings ever to be in this organization.”
Martin joins a goaltending room that includes Igor Shesterkin and Quick, who is still working his way back through a lower-body injury.
It’s been surreal for Martin to work with Shesterkin and Quick, admitting that they’ve been receptive toward him since his arrival.
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“Both Igor and Quickie have been extremely welcoming, and it's been really special to pick their brains just for a moment, but obviously letting them do their thing too,” Martin said. “I love working with elite guys, and it doesn't get any better than these two, even just watching them and how they work. It’s really beneficial for me.”
Quick has begun practicing with the team again, and Mike Sullivan confessed that he’s making progress, hinting at a possible return in the coming games.
That likely means that Martin will eventually be sent back down to the AHL, but he still views this time spent with the Rangers as an opportunity to prove himself to the organization.
“In the NHL, everyone's trying their best, so I'm going to work hard, just like everybody else,” Martin said. “Working with this staff, the sky's the limit for an opportunity to get better and be better every day here. It's pretty cliche, but that's what I'm looking to bring.”