Essex Vermont Youth Hockey

Local Player and Successful Coach Returns to Help Essex Youth Hockey

Essex Youth Hockey Association (EYHA), announces former Essex Youth, UVM and professional hockey player Justin Martin will return to assist area youth players.

Essex Jct., VT September 9, 2008 – Essex resident Justin Martin’s hockey journey has now come full circle.  As a child Justin learned how to play hockey in the Essex Youth Hockey Association, continuing on to play at Essex High School, earning “All-State” distinction as Vermont’s “Mr. Hockey” in 1993.  He then went on to a successful playing career at UVM.  Justin was selected as the 7th pick in the NHL’s draft by the Los Angeles Kings.   After playing over 200 games in the professional ranks and successfully working in various coaching roles with EHS, Rice High School and the Green Mountain Glades Junior team, Justin is now back volunteering to serve in EYHA as their new Director of Player Development.

In this position Justin will help organize and direct clinics for Essex players, and consult with Essex’s other volunteer coaches to help them provide the best possible environment for the association’s players to learn, grow and have fun, regardless of their age and ability.  “I was a big kid who developed late as a player,” said Martin “I played on the ‘B’ team when I was in middle school, but thanks to hard work and some dedicated coaches I was able to get better and eventually I benefited quite a bit from the doors that hockey opened to me.”  Martin, a new father and local real estate professional, is excited for the upcoming season.

EYHA President Al Foice articulated his excitement with Martin’s new position, “For over 30 years Essex Youth Hockey has done a nice job providing a place for area youth to play hockey.  It is great to see another one of our own return to give something back to the game and to the organization where he got his start. He along with many of our volunteer coaches continue to make our organization special.”

Essex Youth Hockey is open to boys and girls age 5 to 19 in the Essex, Westford and Chittenden East area.  Registration has started but league officials indicate that it is not too late to get a child involved in hockey.  

Coach Martin who will provide ongoing guidance and leadership help to develop our players learn the game of hockey and most importantly, grow as individuals who respect the game and those within it.  Justin will be leading “pre-season” warm up clinics for EYHA players beginning September 29.  For more information on EYHA and Coach Martin’s clinics visit

www.essexyouthhockey.org.