FRASER, Mich. – It only took a matter of minutes for Sindo Martinez to realize he wanted to wear the colors of the Metro Jets.
A second-year defenseman in the program, Martinez is hoping his final year of junior hockey ends like his first – with a national championship.
“Playing my last year of midgets, I really didn’t know what my plan was after that season,” said Martinez, a 20-year-old out of Clinton Township. “I heard about the Jets going 47-0 that year and visited the Jets website to find Q’s email (coach-GM Justin Quenneville) and reached out. He sent me some information about the MJDP spring program and gave me the tryout dates. Knew the first skate that I wanted to be a Jet.
“Last year created such a great base to work off for this year. Being around such great players forced me to get better, having to go against the Connor Ingers and competing with great defensemen like George Hansen. This year, I’m just trying to continue the progress with the same work ethic and determination.”
Winning the Fraser Cup last year was a great experience, according to Martinez, but he realizes the 2018-19 season is the focus now.
“Winning a national championship is great, but that feeling had to go away Day 1 of this season,” Martinez said. “It happened, it’s over, and now we know what it takes, and we have to try to bring that to the rink every day. I just want to continue to grow as a hockey player and help the team compete at the highest level we can.
“The Jets organization provides all the tools to become a good hockey player. The team is ran like a professional team. The coaching staff makes it so easy providing us with workouts, going through video, helping us with literally anything we need. The group of guys here makes it easy to come to the rink every day.”
Quenneville noted that with Martinez, he has a player that always gives 110 percent and is a type of player every team should want on their team.
“Sindo is a perfect example of our development model here,” Quenneville said. “He committed himself the moment he stepped on the ice with us. Without players like him here, we would have to demand a lot of players day in and day out to buy in. He brings his heart and work ethic every day and is accountable for his development. We have all seen progression in his overall game, but his feet and decision making have improved really well.
“He continues to add to his junior sample size, and colleges are noticing.”
Martinez played for local teams growing up, such as the Michigan Travelers (a program that played at Fraser Hockeyland) and Troy Sting.
“I started playing hockey when I was about 10,” explained Martinez. “I moved back to Michigan from California and my first Christmas here, my grandparents bought me skates and lessons. I ended up getting into a learn-to-play hockey program and haven’t stopped loving the sport since.”
Down the line, Martinez said he wants to keep playing hockey as long as he can and hopes to use hockey to get an education as well.
