Post by Ginger on Jun 28, 2019 20:28:04 GMT -5
SOURCE: gophersports.com/news/2019/5/14/mens-ice-hockey-paul-martin-is-still-golden.aspx?path=mhockey
MINNEAPOLIS -- He may be a two-time NCAA National Champion, three-time U.S. Olympian, and 14-year NHL retiree, but Paul Martin still adheres to the same philosophy:
"It's kind of silly to say that it comes down to the golden rule: be kind and treat people the way you wanted to be treated," said Martin, who tallied 20 goals and 77 assists in 127 games for the Gophers from 2000-2003. "It's so basic and taught at such a young age, but sometimes it's hard to do. You never really know what people are going through, physically or emotionally, so just be kind."
It's why he started the Shine a Ligh7 Foundation in 2017, a nonprofit organization raising awareness, reducing stigma and hopefully one day providing services for kids affected by bullying, depression and mental health issues.
We caught up with the Elk River native to talk about Shine a Ligh7, life after hockey, the Gopher family and more.
Gopher Hockey: Are you still planning on finishing your degree?
Paul Martin: Yeah, it's definitely something I will do. I was thinking of possibly taking a class or two this summer just to get acclimated. When I left for New Jersey after my junior year, that was one of the promises I made to my mom. You don't want to break those. I think this time it will be a little easier to balance as opposed to going through it the first time with school and hockey and all that other stuff.
Gopher Hockey: What do you think stepping back on campus as a student is going to be like after 16 years?
Paul Martin: I think it will be a little awkward at first, but the 'U' has a great support group and I have some close friends who have gone back like Keith Ballard who I talk to quite a bit. I think it's how you view the experience, and for me, it's just to get back in, get the degree and finish up school, and figure out what's next.
Gopher Hockey: Any advice for other players transitioning to life after hockey?
Paul Martin: I'm trying to figure it out now, so if anyone has any advice for me, let me know. But going back to the Gopher family, they're very open and willing to help and offer advice. We have so many guys doing different things. There's always someone in the field that you're looking to get into or they can at least offer some insight into what they're doing.
For me, I'm always trying to stay busy. You're so used to being in a routine for 14, 15 years where you get the itinerary under your door or on your phone and you just follow that. Now it's just getting things on the calendar. It has been nice just to decompress after 14, 15 years and figure out what I want to do next. I've been fortunate to make some money to maybe allow me to get into something that I'm really passionate about or to give back.
Gopher Hockey: Are you still close with your former Gopher teammates?
Paul Martin: For sure. We usually try to take a class trip every year. We went up to my cabin one summer. We've been to Miami and Vegas together. Now with Grant (Potulny), Troy Riddle, Matt Koalska, Jonny Waibel – we're all kind of spread out, so it's a little trickier when everyone has families and kids. We definitely have a group chat and stay in touch.
Gopher Hockey: Why do you feel those relationships are important to maintain?
Paul Martin: For me, personally, I was a huge Gopher fan growing up. I'd go over to grandma and grandpa's and watch not just hockey, but football and basketball, too. I always wanted to be a Gopher. And then once you get that opportunity, you see a lot of people have that same dream and vision. Being able to be part of a team full of those guys, especially when you're coming into college and you don't know too many people, it really helps. Those guys are the ones you depend on. You learn the ropes with them. They become family.
The success that we had winning a couple championships brought us closer together. Joey Martin, Jonny Waibel and I lived together for the most of three years, so we're still very close. To stay in touch, it obviously takes a little effort because everybody's busy, but we definitely have a special bond with the history of the 'U' and the success we had.
Gopher Hockey: Why did you start Shine a Ligh7? Why is this mission important to you?
Paul Martin: I've been fortunate to have such great parents, family and schoolteachers. I'm grateful for what I have. I have a pretty big family on one side – we have about 30 on my mom's, and my dad has 15 brothers and sisters. We've lost a couple cousins to suicide. We've had some others deal with depression and anxiety too. It's something that I care about, and now that mental health is coming to the forefront of a lot of things that we're seeing, and more prevalent in the schools and social media especially with bullying, that was my main focus on Shine a Ligh7.
Gopher Hockey: What organizations has Shine a Ligh7 worked with so far?
Paul Martin: The Washburn Center for Children has been our main beneficiary that we work closely with. Also Camp Confidence, which is just south of Gull Lake. My sister was a social worker at the Domestic Abuse Project for the last couple years and now she's at a school in Saint Paul. She's been a big help and a reason to get involved to see what these kids go through and deal with in terms of neglect and trauma and abuse. A lot of times they just need someone to trust and to know someone's there to give them the support or tools to at least give them a chance in and outside of school.
In the future I think we want to get a little more established and hopefully provide some kind of service, whether it's a house where kids can come after school for a safe place with a counselor or maybe a tip line or hotline to call as well. We definitely have some goals we'd like to accomplish but right now we're just trying to find our direction.
Gopher Hockey: Have you gotten support from your old teammates?
Paul Martin: Yeah, I think that's going back to the Gopher family. I'm just lucky to be a part of it. The hockey community and alumni have been great getting the word out. Hockey has definitely helped me build this a little bit, so I'm grateful for the support I've been given.
MINNEAPOLIS -- He may be a two-time NCAA National Champion, three-time U.S. Olympian, and 14-year NHL retiree, but Paul Martin still adheres to the same philosophy:
"It's kind of silly to say that it comes down to the golden rule: be kind and treat people the way you wanted to be treated," said Martin, who tallied 20 goals and 77 assists in 127 games for the Gophers from 2000-2003. "It's so basic and taught at such a young age, but sometimes it's hard to do. You never really know what people are going through, physically or emotionally, so just be kind."
It's why he started the Shine a Ligh7 Foundation in 2017, a nonprofit organization raising awareness, reducing stigma and hopefully one day providing services for kids affected by bullying, depression and mental health issues.
We caught up with the Elk River native to talk about Shine a Ligh7, life after hockey, the Gopher family and more.
Gopher Hockey: Are you still planning on finishing your degree?
Paul Martin: Yeah, it's definitely something I will do. I was thinking of possibly taking a class or two this summer just to get acclimated. When I left for New Jersey after my junior year, that was one of the promises I made to my mom. You don't want to break those. I think this time it will be a little easier to balance as opposed to going through it the first time with school and hockey and all that other stuff.
Gopher Hockey: What do you think stepping back on campus as a student is going to be like after 16 years?
Paul Martin: I think it will be a little awkward at first, but the 'U' has a great support group and I have some close friends who have gone back like Keith Ballard who I talk to quite a bit. I think it's how you view the experience, and for me, it's just to get back in, get the degree and finish up school, and figure out what's next.
Gopher Hockey: Any advice for other players transitioning to life after hockey?
Paul Martin: I'm trying to figure it out now, so if anyone has any advice for me, let me know. But going back to the Gopher family, they're very open and willing to help and offer advice. We have so many guys doing different things. There's always someone in the field that you're looking to get into or they can at least offer some insight into what they're doing.
For me, I'm always trying to stay busy. You're so used to being in a routine for 14, 15 years where you get the itinerary under your door or on your phone and you just follow that. Now it's just getting things on the calendar. It has been nice just to decompress after 14, 15 years and figure out what I want to do next. I've been fortunate to make some money to maybe allow me to get into something that I'm really passionate about or to give back.
Gopher Hockey: Are you still close with your former Gopher teammates?
Paul Martin: For sure. We usually try to take a class trip every year. We went up to my cabin one summer. We've been to Miami and Vegas together. Now with Grant (Potulny), Troy Riddle, Matt Koalska, Jonny Waibel – we're all kind of spread out, so it's a little trickier when everyone has families and kids. We definitely have a group chat and stay in touch.
Gopher Hockey: Why do you feel those relationships are important to maintain?
Paul Martin: For me, personally, I was a huge Gopher fan growing up. I'd go over to grandma and grandpa's and watch not just hockey, but football and basketball, too. I always wanted to be a Gopher. And then once you get that opportunity, you see a lot of people have that same dream and vision. Being able to be part of a team full of those guys, especially when you're coming into college and you don't know too many people, it really helps. Those guys are the ones you depend on. You learn the ropes with them. They become family.
The success that we had winning a couple championships brought us closer together. Joey Martin, Jonny Waibel and I lived together for the most of three years, so we're still very close. To stay in touch, it obviously takes a little effort because everybody's busy, but we definitely have a special bond with the history of the 'U' and the success we had.
Gopher Hockey: Why did you start Shine a Ligh7? Why is this mission important to you?
Paul Martin: I've been fortunate to have such great parents, family and schoolteachers. I'm grateful for what I have. I have a pretty big family on one side – we have about 30 on my mom's, and my dad has 15 brothers and sisters. We've lost a couple cousins to suicide. We've had some others deal with depression and anxiety too. It's something that I care about, and now that mental health is coming to the forefront of a lot of things that we're seeing, and more prevalent in the schools and social media especially with bullying, that was my main focus on Shine a Ligh7.
Gopher Hockey: What organizations has Shine a Ligh7 worked with so far?
Paul Martin: The Washburn Center for Children has been our main beneficiary that we work closely with. Also Camp Confidence, which is just south of Gull Lake. My sister was a social worker at the Domestic Abuse Project for the last couple years and now she's at a school in Saint Paul. She's been a big help and a reason to get involved to see what these kids go through and deal with in terms of neglect and trauma and abuse. A lot of times they just need someone to trust and to know someone's there to give them the support or tools to at least give them a chance in and outside of school.
In the future I think we want to get a little more established and hopefully provide some kind of service, whether it's a house where kids can come after school for a safe place with a counselor or maybe a tip line or hotline to call as well. We definitely have some goals we'd like to accomplish but right now we're just trying to find our direction.
Gopher Hockey: Have you gotten support from your old teammates?
Paul Martin: Yeah, I think that's going back to the Gopher family. I'm just lucky to be a part of it. The hockey community and alumni have been great getting the word out. Hockey has definitely helped me build this a little bit, so I'm grateful for the support I've been given.
