Ken Martel - "What is one change that you have made in the past year that has been really impactful?"

Since moving to Colorado, Emma Doyle has been reaching out to expert coaches in their fields and this episode is another great short and sharp interview with Ken Martel, the Technical Director for the American Development Model and Regional Manager for the sport of ice hockey. What does Ken think makes a great coach? Someone who is 'for the athlete'.

Ken Martel has over 25 years of experience in player development and a long history as a coach with USA Hockey, Ken Martel was named technical director of USA Hockey’s American Development Model in May 2009. He is charged with helping provide a framework for associations nationwide to follow for optimal athlete development.

From 2006-08 at USA Hockey’s national office in Colorado Springs, Colo., Martel worked on coaching education and player development initiatives. For his efforts using science to advance sport, Martel received the USOC "Doc" Councilman Award for Ice Hockey in 2004. Prior to arriving in Colorado Springs, Martel was a part of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program staff as an assistant coach for eight years (1998-2006), including a dual role with responsibilities for player personnel in his final five seasons.

Martel has made appearances behind the bench of nine U.S. teams that have competed in International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, including four times with the U.S. National Under-18 Team (2000-04), four times with the U.S. National Junior Team (2004, 2006, 2008-09) and once with the U.S. Women’s National Team (2007). He has been part of two gold medal-winning teams, including the first-ever U.S. gold medals in the IIHF Men’s World Under-18 Championship (2002) and the IIHF World Junior Championship (2004).

Among his additional coaching stops, Martel served one season (1997-98) as an assistant coach for the men’s ice hockey program at the U.S. Air Force Academy and seven seasons (1990-97) as an assistant men’s ice hockey coach at Michigan Tech University. He also spent one year (1990-91) as a graduate assistant for the men’s ice hockey program at St. Cloud State University.
A four-year (1985-89) letter-winner as a defenseman at Lake Superior State University, Martel helped the Lakers to the school’s first-ever NCAA national title in 1988.

Martel and his wife, Dawn, reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and are the parents of children Colin and Cailey.