Not a day goes by that I don't get asked for an update on Steve and Michelle Martinson, It has been a month since Martinson's coaching contract with the Allen Americans ended. Steve and Michelle have been spending time at their home on the Rock River in Rockford, IL.
As disappointing as it was for coach Martinson to not get a contract extension, the time spent in Rockford has given the Martinson's time to reflect on what they want to do going forward. Every ending is also a new beginning.
Anyone close to the Martinsons knows they have been talking for years about starting their own business they could grow after they were done with hockey. Michelle has many years of sales and marketing experience including running the Allen Americans Team Store the last five years.
Steve Martinson just finished his 26th season as a head coach in AA hockey. It wasn’t the journey he planned after a 14-year playing career that covered leagues from the NHL, AHL, IHL and CHL. After his playing career was over, Martinson, whose college major was in business, went to work as a financial advisor for Smith Barney. He was coaching roller hockey in his spare time when San Diego brought minor league hockey to town in 1995. Martinson was recruited to coach the Gulls. He won the WCHL championship in each of his first three seasons. Ten championships later, including four straight in Allen, and with 1123 regular season wins under his belt, Martinson is the second winningest pro hockey coach in history. Martinson has won championships in four different leagues (WCHL, UHL, CHL, ECHL).
The Martinson's have made the decision to leave hockey and living in apartments during the season, to move home and become their own boss. They have started their own business in the solar industry called American Family Solar, LLC. This opportunity came through contacts in Texas who have over 40 years experience in the industry. They will be doing business in Texas, Illinois and eventually Minnesota. Their market is residential homeowners looking for solar applications.
As a coach and general manager, Steve Martinson was all in all the time. If you combine that work ethic with his business acumen along with Michelle's attention to detail and customer service, there is little doubt they will be successful in this new adventure. If you didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Steve and Michelle or want to talk to them about the new business and wish them well, here is their contact information. I am sure they would love to hear from you:
- 214-425-8968 - Steve
- 815-975-4360 - Michelle
- Americanfamilysolar@gmail.com
- Also, the Martinson's will be spending time in Texas with the new business. A get together for Allen fans they didn't have a chance to say goodbye to will be planned on one of their trips to Texas.
DID YOU KNOW: What did Steve Martinson accomplish in his 10 seasons as the coach and general manager for the Allen Americans. Here are the regular season finishes for all 10 seasons. The number rank is among all teams in the league:
- 2021-22: 10th
- 2020-21: 1st (in points), 2nd (points percentage)
- 2019-20: 3rd
- 2018-19: 27th
- 2017-18: 13th
- 2016-17: 2nd
- 2015-16: 5th*
- 2014-15: 2nd*
- 2013-14: 3rd*
- 2012-13: 1st*
*Won Championship
Congratulations Martinson's on your new business venture!! Best of success!
ReplyDeleteI bet the love him not being on the road. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteAlways followed Steve's playing and coaching career since he was with the RHI Barracudas and IHL/WHL/ECHL San Diego Gulls. 1996-2006. Best teams and coaching. Never a losing season. Thank you, Marty, for all the great memories! Damn I wish you had found your way back here! Good Luck in your new business.
ReplyDeleteFrom Mtka./St. Cloud to you Marty, best of luck in your new adventure!! Your one time roomie who helped set up the bucket over the door that landed on doughboys girlfriends head. "The Pegger"
ReplyDelete