JORDAN MARTINOOK
Position: Forward, Arizona Coyotes
Acquired: Coyotes’ second-round pick (58th overall) in 2012 NHL Draft
Hometown: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
Age: 24

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Arizona Rubber: What’s your favorite hockey memory growing up?
Jordan Martinook: It’s when we won the Provincials when I was in Novice. I think the big thing for me was playing outdoors in Canada. Playing outside is a big part of every kid. When I was young, a family friend, probably about six years older than me, invited to me to play with his friends. He would go out with all his buddies and I was just a young kid, five years old, and they let me play with them. That’s where I developed to skate better and get more skills. As much as being on a team, and winning is so much fun, that’s the kind of hockey you have a blast.

AZR: What’s your favorite memory in the game since leaving junior hockey?
JM: It would probably be my first NHL game. Also, the last game of last year, scoring the game-winner. Winning the home opener last year against Pittsburgh was pretty special, too.

AZR: Who have been the biggest influences on you, on and off the ice?
JM: My whole family. My parents, my sister. Just seeing all the time they put in, and you kind of take that for granted. For them to let chase my dream and let me do everything I could to get here was definitely a good part of what I am today.

AZR: What’s the best piece of advice you have for young hockey players?
JM: You can have as much skill in the world, but if you’re not working hard enough, you won’t go anywhere.

AZR: Other than hockey, do you have a favorite sport to play?
JM: I played everything. Football, baseball, basketball, but I’m a big fan of football. I love football.

AZR: Do you have any superstitions?
JM: No. not really.

AZR: What does your game-day routine like?
JM: Wake up, go to the rink, have breakfast, do the morning skate, go home, sit on the couch with my dog for a bit. Have a pre-game meal that my wife cooks, and then go have a nap. Get up, have a coffee, get dressed, and then get picked up or drive to the rink.

AZR: Do you have a favorite meal or restaurant here in the Phoenix area?
JM: Big fan of North in Kierland Commons

AZR: What are some essential items you take on a road trip?
JM: Phone charger, definitely a couple of dress shirts. You know, pasta sauce can get messy, and a toothbrush. Even if you forget a toothbrush, you can always go down to the front desk and get a toothbrush.

AZR: Did you have a favorite hockey player growing up?
JM: Eric Lindros. As I got older, I was a big fan of Rick Nash. When they were rookies coming into the league, I loved the styles those guys played. Everyone was kind of worried (Lindros) was not going to get in (to the Hall of Fame), but it’s cool to see this. He was so dominant in his time and that’s pretty good.

Photo/Norm Hall/Getty Images

– Compiled by Mark Brown