KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo Wings announced former player, assistant and ECHL Hall of Famer Joel Martin as the organization’s 21st head coach.

“Joel’s vast experience as a professional hockey player, combined with his ability to teach and lead, will deliver excellence to our entire organization. Joel has a detailed championship plan and we are excited to watch it unfold,” Bill Johnston, Stadium Management Corporation (Kalamazoo Wings parent company) owner, said.

Martin, 39, spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach under former Kalamazoo head coach Nick Bootland. During his tenure as an assistant, he helped the team clinch a postseason berth and was an integral part of the team’s goaltending, defensive and special teams development and performance.

In all, Kalamazoo compiled a 95-97-4-3 record with Martin on its coaching staff.

“I’m honored to be named head coach and director of hockey operations for the Kalamazoo Wings,” Martin said. “I’d first like to thank my family for their continued love and support. Next, I’d like to thank Bill Johnston and Ronda Stryker, along with Brad Vandenberg for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this historic franchise. I look forward to working alongside Toni Will, Rob Underwood and our entire front office & Wings Event Center staff.”

The hire of Martin marks the first Black head coach in K-Wings history, joining Cincinnati Cyclones head coach Jason Payne as the only two black head coaches in North American men’s professional hockey. Both are active members of the NHL Coaches Association BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), and the hire is the fourth head coach of color in the ECHL’s 35 year history.

Prior to his time as an assistant with the K-Wings, Martin played 15 seasons of professional hockey across every level as a goaltender. Nine of those seasons were spent with the Kalamazoo Wings, setting multiple franchise records and winning the 2006 Colonial Cup (UHL). Martin retired from playing after the 2017-18 season.

The former goaltender’s record book assaulting career slots him as the K-Wings current all-time goaltending leader in career games played (422), saves (12,310), wins (229), shutouts (21), and minutes played (24,755). Martin also currently sits Top-4 in every major single-season goaltending statistical category in Kalamazoo Wings history. For those efforts, Martin was named to the 14th ECHL Hall of Fame class on January 18, 2022.

The Kalamazoo Wings is the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Columbus Blue Jackets.