Nicole Martindale an Elite Sniper for Whitby Wolves with Great Bloodlines

As one of the elite snipers in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League, Nicole Martindale is a key factor in the Whitby Wolves second-place standing. In her first two seasons with the Wolves, Martindale logged 55 points in 63 regular-season contests.

One of the great accomplishments for Martindale came in the 2011 Ontario Women’s Hockey Association Intermediate AA playoffs. Playing for the Whitby Intermediate AA club, Martindale scored the goal that clinched the bronze medal. Of note, said goal was scored in quadruple overtime.

“It was really exciting,” she proclaimed. “Once I scored, everyone ran from the bench. There is a picture where my teammates are on top of me, and all you can see are my feet outside of the crowd.”

Throughout her young career, she has had the opportunity to play for former NHL veterans Joe Cirella (who competed with the New Jersey Devils and Quebec Nordiques) and Jeff Jackson (who had stints in Toronto and the New York Rangers). Playing for them was of great benefit to Martindale, who said, “I think it was really good. They helped improve my game a lot. I learned so much. I was like a sponge absorbing everything that they had to say.”

She competed with Team Ontario Red at the 2012 Canadian National Under-18 championships. Her teammates from the Whitby Wolves, Hanna Bunton and Alex Moore, joined her on the bronze medal winning Red squad.

“It was funny that I managed to make the same team. I have been teammates with these two girls for two years. Alex and I play on the same line, and we have great chemistry as well.” At the 2011 Under-18 Nationals, Bunton and Martindale were teammates with Team Ontario Blue, who finished in sixth position.

With Team Ontario Red, one of the assistant coaches was Kim McCullough, the owner of Total Female Hockey. Having worked with thousands of players, the experience to play for McCullough was a reunion of sorts. “Playing for Kim was really good. I have known Kim for awhile. She was a coach on my tryout team. She is a great coach, and I loved working hard with her.”

A two-sport star, Martindale is also a renowned lacrosse player. Having competed with the Canadian National Under-19 lacrosse team, she will follow that path in her post secondary athletic career. “I have accepted a lacrosse scholarship to the University of Denver.”

Her brother, Ryan Martindale, also boasts some impressive athletic credentials. Having been selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, he is currently a member of the Oklahoma City Barons in the American Hockey League.

“He is most definitely an inspiration. When I was little, I looked up to him. He was playing lacrosse, I had to play. He would play hockey, I had to play. Knowing how far he had made it, it made me want to push myself more. I am proud of him.”

Although the 2012-13 season may be Martindale’s last season of competitive hockey (due to her commitments with lacrosse), Martindale brings a lot of maturity to a Whitby team that currently sits second overall in the 20-team PWHL.

“We have a lot of depth. This year, we are a younger team but with the help of our coaches, we can really move forward. We have a great chance of winning this year.”

All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated