Growing up as the youngest of Stan and Jenny Martin’s four competitive kids, Luke Martin had no shortage of challenges as a kid.

“No matter what we played, it was always a competition,” the St. Louis native said. “We were always betting something or having fun with it.”

The competitive nature started with Stan, who played squash at Amherst College, and trickled down to the kids, all standout athletes themselves. Oldest son Jimmy played hockey at Yale University from 2007–11, son Wade played soccer at Colgate University from 2009–12, and daughter Charlotte just wrapped up her junior year at Northwestern University, were she plays field hockey.

Now Luke, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman on the U.S. National Under-17 Team, is hoping to follow his siblings and dad into the collegiate ranks. He has committed to play at the University of Michigan.

Of all his siblings, Luke followed his brother Jimmy the most closely. Luke skated for the first time around age 3 or 4, when Jimmy was in midgets.

“My brother would make me strap on the pads and then would make me play goalie,” Luke said. “That is where it started. Generally, they treated me well. Occasionally, they would try slap shots, but I’m still here.”

Wade would sometimes get into the action, too.

“Wade would play roller hockey with us in the street,” Luke said.

However, it was Jimmy — a fellow defenseman — who had the greatest influence on Luke.

“Growing up, I would watch his work ethic and how committed he was to the game,” Luke said. “He is 5-9 with skates on, and watching how others might have doubted him — just to see how well he played and the level he played at. I just try to model his work ethic every day. I really look up to him.”

When Luke earned an invitation to the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Jimmy had some advice for him.

“He had some buddies that played here,” Luke said. “He said it was a grind, but he said it improves your game tremendously. It is an incredible opportunity, and he was really happy for me.”

Even that advice could not fully prepare Luke for the transition, though, especially for the grueling first month.

“The first few games were fast,” he said. “Once you get adjusted, it’s just like playing against guys you have been playing with forever. It also helps playing against the best forwards in the country who are coming at you at 1,000 miles in practice every day.”

He credits the coaching staff for helping his game grow.

“Offensively, at the blue line is where I saw the most improvement,” said Martin, who tallied two goals and recorded 13 points in 52 contests. “Whether it’s walking the blue line or working on top on the power play. [Former assistant coach John] Gruden really helped me with that, pretty much every day in practice. It’s hard not to improve when you are getting that repetition in practice every day.”

Martin knows he needs to work hard over this summer to get ready for his second year with the NTDP.

“I plan to work on my explosiveness over the summer,” he said. “I want to improve my overall power in my stride and my first couple steps. Those steps are very important since I’m a big guy. You can never have too much practice on explosiveness and agility.”

With one year in the books, Martin says he is still amazed each time he walks down the hallways at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube and sees the photos of the other players who have worn the colors of Team USA before him.

“Everyday, it’s incredible,” he said. “I see the NHL All-Stars up there. It’s amazing to think that they had to go through the same things we are going through this spring. They build their game the same way.

“I don’t even know how to describe it. Every day, I get to represent my country; it’s been pretty incredible.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

Favorite NHL Team
St. Louis Blues

Favorite Movie
Good Will Hunting

Favorite TV Show
The Office or Seinfeld

Favorite Actor
Morgan Freeman

Favorite Actress
Jennifer Lawrence

Favorite Website
sperry.com

Favorite Pump-Up Song
"It'z Just What We Do" by Florida Georgia Line

Favorite Home-Cooked Meal
Grilled Chicken with Veggies