Scholar Stories: Martin Uses Psych Major on Ice, is 'Mold for a Student-Athlete'
11/20/2019 10:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey, Features
Continuing the series that began in 2016-17, each Wednesday MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories, presented by Prairie Farms.
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Luke Martin said that what he enjoys most about being a psychology major at the University of Michigan is how well it factors into life and all of his pursuits.
"What I like about psych is how it ties into so many areas -- school, outside of school," said the standout Wolverines hockey defenseman. "And I really like how it applies to hockey and areas of motivation. I really enjoy the 'people' aspect of it.
"It's fun to learn the prime examples that I can apply to my life. It's just really interesting."
Martin, a senior from St. Louis, was a second-round draft pick by the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes two years ago. He has a future in pro hockey and would like to coach whenever he retires as a player.
He missed the stretch run of last season with a wrist injury but is back and teaming on the blue line with freshman Cam York, a first-round pick by the Philadelphia Flyers. Martin has blocked 204 shots over his career, twice leading the team in that category, and that exemplifies how he gives everything for his teammates and team success.
"You can hold Luke Martin up as a mold for a student-athlete," said Michigan ead coach Mel Pearson. "He takes his academics seriously, and was a high draft pick. He's probably our most likable guy in the room. He's everybody's buddy and has a nice touch about him.
"He's serious when the games start and the practices start, but at the same time makes everyone feel welcome, and that's a trait in itself. He's a real good team guy and that's the thing you notice about him. He's all-in. He's all about the team. He's for Michigan. He's a strong player, too."
Martin, an alternate captain, said, "I think one of the things I do best, and it could be my psych major, is just getting to know people. I think that helps teams grow together, and the more I can get to know guys individually, and the more we get to know each other, the closer the team's going to be.
"It's especially important to make younger guys feel comfortable off the bat and making them feel welcome. I think that's a huge part of our jobs as seniors. Showing up and doing that every day is important. Your word doesn't mean anything if you don't back it up with what you do."
Martin was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2018 and 2019, maintaining a grade-point average of 3.7 or higher for his sophomore and junior school years. What study habits have enabled him to succeed at a high level while also meeting the demands and travel that come with playing hockey?
"I like to work ahead as much as I can -- looking over my syllabus with Ashley Korn, the academic advisor for hockey," said Martin. "She's unbelievable and is like having your mom on campus for your freshman year. She really takes care of us, and we probably lean on her too much our freshman years, and then she helps you grow away.
"Working ahead and sticking to a plan is it. Otherwise, with practice and games, everything can pile up and you get bogged down. The more I can do Monday through Thursday allows me to focus on our games Friday and Saturday."
He said best-selling author John U. Bacon, a lecturer at Michigan, is his favorite instructor.
"This semester I'm in two of his classes," said Martin. "He's teaching a class on coaching and, specifically, leading in different styles. His word is his word, and I really respect him for that. He says, 'If you work hard for me, I'll work hard for you.' It makes sense that he was a (high school hockey) coach because he runs his class like a coach. He gets everyone involved and speaks so passionately about material. He really engages you.
"John mentions gratitude every day, and I really like that. It's about building relationships, sending hand-written thank-you notes to speakers."
Psychology and coaching go hand-in-hand for Martin.
"I want to play for as long as I can," he said, "but I see myself coaching after that. That's what I want to do. Psychology applies so well to that: getting to know your players, knowing what makes them tick, things like that. Psych applies to coaching much more than playing.
"I went out and got a notebook that will last, and I wrote down things from certain classes, Bacon's classes, psych classes, that I'm going to look back at when my playing career is over. I'll start coaching right there."
Martin also has learned from standout coaches at Michigan, beginning with the legendary Red Berenson, who won national titles in 1996 and 1998 and ranks fourth all-time with 848 victories.
"I'll be forever thankful to Red for recruiting me and giving me the opportunity to be a Michigan hockey player," said Martin, "and everything he's done for me. Coach Pearson came in (two seasons ago) and obviously had big shoes to fill, but he's done great. We see what he's put into place and we're starting to get it."
He also credited assistants Brian Wiseman (now an Edmonton Oilers assistant), Billy Powers, Bill Muckalt and new assistant Kris Mayotte.
Where has he improved most in four seasons?
"I've grown more confident with myself on the ice and in the locker room," said Martin. "I've worked with Greg Harden, and he's unbelievable. He's really helped my mental game and working at what I need to get good at to separate myself. He's really helped my confidence."
Harden, an executive associate athletic director at Michigan, has counseled student-athletes over four decades with Desmond Howard and Tom Brady among his success stories.
The Martin family (from left): Jimmy (brother), Charlotte (sister), Wade (brother), Stan (father), Jenny (mother), Luke, Tricia (Jimmy's wife), Nora (Jim and Trish's daughter).
Martin's family also has played a huge role in who he's become. Luke credits his mother, Jenny, a successful homemaker, his father, Stan, a neurosurgeon, and his brothers and sister.
"I have three older siblings who all played Division I college athletics," said Martin. "That definitely helped me at the start. They showed me what it takes to get through.
"My parents did such a good job of instilling work ethic and having a pride in what you do. They always said, 'We don't care what you do as long as you love it.' Our 'compete' came from them."
Jimmy was a hockey defenseman at Yale and brother Wade played soccer at Colgate. Both went on to graduate from law school. Nick's sister, Charlotte, played field hockey at Northwestern and is currently in nursing school.
Selflessness is a defining trait for Martin, and that is reflected in hockey by those 204 career blocked shots. He led the team with 76 and 67 his first two seasons, respectively, and is pacing this team with 20 after 12 games.
"It's really just pride in the jersey you're wearing," Martin said. "For me, it's knowing the guy next to me would do the same for me. That's what makes great teams. Whatever I can do to help out this team is what I'm going to do. And I think the defensive side of the game and the penalty kill are what I bring, what I can contribute. The other parts of my game (mostly offense), I'm working on, along with the defensive side, too."
Martin has two assists on goals this year, and has enjoyed teaming with York and being a mentor.
"I try to be," said Martin. "Cam's really impressed me with his attitude every day, and we talk a lot about controlling the controllables. What we can control are our attitudes and how we handle every shift. We've been really good for each other and hopefully can make an impact this year."
This team is off to a slow start, but the Frozen Four team two years ago also took a while to find its groove. Martin recalled reaching the pinnacle of college hockey in St. Paul, Minnesota, where a last-second goal by Notre Dame spelled defeat in the semifinals.
"It was such a rush," said Martin. "We went out for warmups and it wasn't that packed, and then we went out for puck drop and the place was full. It was great to represent Michigan on that stage. Obviously, we didn't finish the job, but to turn that team around, it was a special group to turn that team around from where we were at Christmas time to where we got in April. Our locker room was great, and that carried over onto the ice.
"We did the little things to get that far that year, and it's going to help us get that far this year. It's important not to get too far forward and focus on today."
Pearson added on Martin, "We missed him last year. People talked about us missing (injured) Josh Norris last year, but nobody talked about how much we missed Luke Martin on the back end. We had a lot of tight games, overtime games, and you really miss a good defender who can play like he can. As much as we missed Josh Norris (who signed with the Ottawa Senators), we really missed Luke Martin.
"He's 100 percent now. We joked with him in practice that he's come back better with those pins in there and has a bionic arm now. He's the new and improved Luke Martin. He came back better. They must have done something (in surgery). He's also fun to be around and keeps things loose."
Martin has been that model student-athlete Pearson values, but also has proven to be a great teammate and leader. He's the complete package.
