‘Some of the best memories I’m ever going to have’: Longtime North Stars’ broadcaster Martinson moving on

Martinson called two league titles with the North Stars during his tenure, including one in his first season in 2018-2019 and then again in 2022-2023.

“I’d like to take all the credit, but really I was just grateful to have been along for the ride,” he joked. “I was lucky enough to come into the Battlefords when I did. It’s just been an unbelievable ride since.”

“Some of the best memories I’m ever going to have.”

Martinson also marvelled at the continued success that the North Stars had every single year he was there.

“As much success as this North Stars group has had, almost every year they just exceed expectations,” he said. “They’re not expected to dominate the league, and then they just rise to the occasion and come through.”

The North Stars’ 2023 SJHL championship was one of many highlights that Martinson got to witness. (Marty Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Martinson pointed to the national championship, the 2023 Centennial Cup in Portage la Prairie, Man. as one of the many highlights of his broadcasting career.

“That was just an experience of a lifetime. Obviously I had never had the opportunity to take part in a tournament like that one,” he said. “I just remember the atmosphere was just unbelievable from the time we got there.”

“Whenever the team’s not playing and you’re not working calling the games, you’re at the rink anyways. They had the shuttle service, you could go catch all the games, and I know me and a ton of the guys…there were a bunch of us, we were taking the shuttles back and forth catching every game. It was unbelievable stuff.”

Martinson also reflected on the relationships that he forged with the North Stars’ players over the years.

“So much of junior hockey is the turnover…you’re with these guys for such a brief period and you make these relationships,” he said. “You call for them every game and you wish them really the best. So when they come back and they don’t mind spending some time catching up with the old radio guy…that just means the absolute world.”

Marty Martinson (right) with former North Stars’ captain Jake Southgate (left) after winning the 2023 SJHL championship. (Submitted photo/Marty Martinson)

The Regina native also reminisced about how he grew as a broadcaster during his time in North Battleford.

“I think leaps and bounds. Even listening to some audio from this past year, and then I Iistened back to even a year ago…for me it was always about trying to hone my craft and get better,” Martinson said. “When I came in I was pretty raw…I had just done one season in the MJHL with the OCN Blizzard, which was an unbelievable opportunity in itself.”

“And then obviously when I came here, just really trying to hit the ground running there and take it all in stride.”

This past season, Martinson once again got to call another playoff run with the North Stars, as they advanced to the second round before eventually losing to the Flin Flon Bombers. And although he doesn’t have any immediate plans for the future, Martinson said he knows it’s time to move on.

“I just think it’s kind of time. I’ve loved my time here and everything,” he said. “We’ll see what the future holds. Just looking forward to a new opportunity. I’ve done this my entire 20’s. Just right now it’s basically taking a little bit of time away, going back home to Regina where I’m from and just looking to regroup and reset a little bit.”

“Always love hockey and always will.”

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com

by Nolan Kowal

‘Some of the best memories I’m ever going to have’: Longtime North Stars’ broadcaster Martinson moving on

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