By Regan Bartel

New voice added behind Rockets bench

‘To be a part of that team and that logo is a tremendous honour’ – Derrick Martin

Aug 2, 2024 | 7:00 AM

When Derrick Martin walks into Prospera Place next week on his first official day as the new assistant coach of the Kelowna Rockets, there won’t be much fanfare.  

No players. No head coach. Not even the ice is in yet.  

The coach’s room will be even quieter when the 39-year-old sits down in his office chair for the first time, with Mallette busy in Edmonton guiding Canada’s entry at the U18 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.

That shouldn’t rattle the well-spoken Vermilion, Alberta product though, who signed a three-year deal with the hockey club. 

“What was evident right away with Kris [Mallette], there was a level of authenticity in our conversations,” Martin said when he first interviewed for the position. “It didn’t feel so much as an interview as it was two coaches talking, sharing ideas and thoughts and ideologies. When you have that, it is easy to be vulnerable with each other.”

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Martin’s similarities with Mallette don’t end there. The two share the common bond of taking the slow and steady approach by taking it one step at a time up the coaching ladder.

“I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and ideas, and not just sitting in the background. I don’t want to be a guy who just takes up space. I want to feel like I can contribute. My job as an assistant is to support Kris, the players and our aspirations are to get better every day, and we just aligned on that.”

Martin, who is the father to a 12 year-old daughter and a ten year-old son is married to his best friend – wife Kari. 

“When a call comes in from Bruce or Curtis Hamilton or Kris Mallette, you try not to let that thing ring twice,” he said with a chuckle. “There level of professionalism and attention to detail and pride in the logo since day one of conversing with them has been amazing. It makes you want to be a part of it more.” 

Martin jumps to the WHL after spending last season as the general manager and head coach of the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Camrose Kodiaks.  

“I am excited to be here,” he said. “It has been an aspiration for me to get to the Western Hockey League. I have worked hard to open up that opportunity, and to do it with an organization with a legacy like the Kelowna Rockets is something I couldn’t have fathomed earlier in my career.”

Hear the audio of Derrick Martin explaining his thoughts about living in Kelowna by pressing the play button below: 

The learning curve will be a steep one. Martin is in a new city, with a new team, with players he doesn’t know, both his own and those of the opposition. 

“I recognize there is going to be a learning curve for sure, but I don’t confuse unknown with doubting my capabilities as a coach. I was hired for a reason, and I believe in my abilities. I know Bruce, Curtis and Kris share in my belief, and hockey is hockey. It is 200 by 85 and you are still trying to score more goals than the other team. There will be some unknowns, and I am looking forward to getting some of those moments out of the way so I can be at my best.” 

Martin is no stranger to being an assistant coach, holding that role with the Spruce Grove Saints for four seasons between 2017 and 2021. 

“For me it is about the 23 players that are on that bench,” he added. “It has never been about being right. It is about getting it right and making sure we are putting them at the forefront. When I talked to Kris, from a principle or value standpoint, we aligned well there. 

“I am just looking forward to learning our players, learning the organization and learning the league and making sure I am at my best to afford Kris and our players to be at their best.”