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The Vancouver Warriors are only a game back of a playoff spot heading into the final game of the regular season. After starting the season 2-8 and now winning six of their last seven, they showed how resilient they are as a team. The word ‘resilient’ is also a great way to describe Ryan Martel. The Aldergrove, B.C. native had a rocky start to his National Lacrosse League career after being drafted 11th overall in 2017 by the Calgary Roughnecks. Despite being coached by current Warriors head coach and general manager Curt Malawsky while he was with the Roughnecks, Martel didn’t get much playing time and left Calgary in 2020.
In 2022, Martel signed with his hometown team but still wasn’t contributing the way he hoped, playing in only nine games while posting six goals and nine assists. Martel is in his sixth NLL season and finally putting his game together. Following a 9-point outing against the New York Riptide on April 13, Martel talked about how Malawsky has been a key part of his success this year.
“Curt’s had a lot to do with it. He’s had a lot of confidence in me this year, giving me the ball and different plays and situations which I really appreciate. (Also) I think just getting older, getting in my man body a bit and I’m excited to come to the rink every day. I think about (playing in games) all week and it’s been a fun year.”
Martel is smashing career highs in every major offensive category. He’s third in goals, assists and points on the Warriors, and is fourth in shots on goal. It’s Martel’s first season getting top end playing time and he says it’s different now as opposed to early on in his career. “I think when you’re in and out of the lineup, it’s tough to kind of get up when you don’t know if you’re in the lineup or not. Knowing I’m in every week just sort of gives me that confidence and (I’m) just rolling with it”.
Marty was on a ROLL last weekend! 💫 pic.twitter.com/oGvcDFj2OM
— Vancouver Warriors (@VanWarriors) April 17, 2024
Martel’s 69 points this season are five more than he’s had in his entire NLL career. He’s become one of the star players on the Warriors along with Adam Charalambides and Keegan Bal. He’s also a top tier scoring threat, giving Vancouver another weapon when he’s on the floor. Malawsky noted Martel’s growth and how he’s matured as a player since coming to Vancouver.
“When Ryan was a young guy, I wasn’t sure he liked lacrosse and (I) think now he’s gotten older, he’s got a (girl), and he’s working full-time – he’s playing in his province, his parents get to come watch the games, and I think it’s become more important to him. I think as you get older, you realize that you’re not going to play this game forever and to cherish the time that he has. In your life when things are really important, you prioritize them and I think he’s done that.”
Malawsky feels that Martel’s ability to get to the middle of the floor has helped him elevate his game this season. “Marty doesn’t have any fear now. When he doesn’t get to the middle of the floor, he’s like, ‘Coach, I should have gone to the middle’ so he’s understanding his type of game. He’s a good athlete and he’s got great feet and he’s got great anticipation, he can score in tight, so he’s had a great season for us.”
Martel’s breakout season is a key part of the Warriors’ playoff push and success in the second half of this season. Regardless of how the Warriors’ season ends, they have a great sniper in Martel who’s just going to get better and better moving forward and help his team win more games.