Trail, British Columbia, recognized for its history of sports excellence (e.g., 1939 & 1961 World Champion Trail Smoke Eaters; Andy Bilesky & Little League Baseball; Willi Krause & Track and Field), adopted the motto ‘Home of Champions’ in 1988. For years, Trail has been the developmental ground where several sports legends have been born and raised, including three goaltenders who became well-known throughout professional hockey, worldwide: Seth Martin, Cesare Maniago, and Don ‘Smokey’ McLeod.
Seth Martin: A Storied Career from Trail to the NHL and Beyond
Seth Martin was born on May 4, 1933, in Rossland, British Columbia (located just up the hill from Trail), and grew into a formidable goaltender, standing (in those early days) a tall 5-foot-10 and weighing 180 pounds. Martin got his start in the early 1950s, playing junior hockey with the Lethbridge Native Sons in the Western Canada Junior Hockey League. Before long, he became a fixture in the Western International Hockey League, backstopping teams like the Trail Smoke Eaters and Rossland Warriors. He wasn’t flashy, but he was steady—and that reliability earned him plenty of respect.
Related: The Best Free Agent Signings in NHL History
By the 1963-64 season, Martin’s talent had taken him well beyond the local scene. He joined the Canadian National Team that year, a sign of just how highly regarded he was among goalies at the time. He also picked up the WIHL’s Dr. Joseph Vingo Award that season, recognizing his all-around impact between the pipes.
In the 1967-68 NHL season, Martin stepped onto the professional stage with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues (alongside Scotty Bowman and Glenn Hall). Though his time in the NHL was brief—30 games—he posted impressive numbers for an expansion team goalie, recording a 2.60 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage, along with one shutout. His performance demonstrated that he could compete at hockey’s highest level.
Martin’s hockey legacy is rooted in his versatility and passion—a man who contributed both on the ice and behind the bench, and whose career highlights the rich history of Canadian goaltending talent. His journey from the small communities of Trail and Rossland, British Columbia, to the NHL and international competition embodies the spirit of dedication and love for the game. Martin passed away on Sept. 6, 2014; however, his…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…