Mike Martone’s life mixes hockey and science
Mike Martone could dish out a scientific hypothesis in the classroom as easily as he could feed a teammate driving down center ice. Martone wore the Petes crest from 1994-98, becoming the 44th captain in the history of Peterborough for the 1997-98 campaign. Inspired by his 8th-grade teacher, Mr. Didetta, the former Pete devoted his life to education as soon as he hung up the skates.
“He was a teacher that demanded respect, but he was firm, but he was fair,” Martone remembered.
Martone was drawn to math and science.
“I really enjoyed the problem solving part to it and I really enjoyed the anatomy and physiology, which led me to my human kinetics degree,” Martone stated.
By 2004, Martone had graduated from St. Francis Xavier University, which he attended part-time amidst playing hockey professionally, with his bachelor’s degree. He decided to play another year with the Mississippi Sea Wolves in the East Coast Hockey League prior to returning to Peterborough, where he enjoyed the community aspect of surrounding the life of a Pete.
“[The Petes] expect you to be out in the community and be a positive member of the community so we were in and out of schools talking, we had an anti-drug program going,” Martone recalled.
“We used the platform of being a Peterborough Pete to spread a good message.”
Though Martone learned a lot from the Petes, he described his dad as his greatest mentor.
His father moved to Canada from Italy at seven years old without much. Martone saw his dad’s work ethic while the young hockey player grew up watching the Soo Greyhounds living in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
“I saw first hand how hard he worked, and that’s what I try to instill in my kids, and even the kids I teach. It’s about the work ethic. It’s about the grind. It’s about those little things that will make you successful down the road,” Martone said.
The former defenceman currently teaches ninth and 10th grade biology and general science at St. Peter Catholic Secondary School. He previously taught eighth grade at Immaculate Conception School in Peterborough’s East City.
“When you get to create relationships with staff and students and parents and community members within the community you live in, it’s a great opportunity to be that one positive influence in someone’s life that could get them on the right track or keep them on the right track.,” Martone explained.
Something that hasn’t changed since the former Pete laced up for the maroon and white is how many fans recognize him. The parents, who may have been in the stands as teens or young adults during the mid-90s, will approach Martone with the excitement that encapsulates every Thursday night at the Memorial Centre.
“A lot of people might say they were at the game at the Memorial Cup, or they bought tickets for the Memorial Cup,” Martone said with a smile.
“It’s just a part of being in a small town, right? Small town [in] Peterborough [that] loves their hockey. People don’t forget.”
The Sault Ste. Marie native spends time coaching the St. Peter Catholic girls varsity hockey, alongside Peterborough native and Board of Directors Vice President Rod McGillis, when he’s not coaching his kids’ teams or teaching scientific theories. Martone calls it one of the most fun experiences working at the school.
“I don’t know who has more fun: the girls or us,” Martone shared.
“They’re not extracurriculars, they’re co-curriculars because they have something for them to look forward to at the end of the day as well.”
Martone couldn’t be happier with how his life turned out following a successful hockey career. Inspired by his former teacher, he influences the young minds of Peterborough, hoping to make a positive impact on their lives, and enjoys every minute of it.
“I’m fortunate. I have the best job in the whole world.”
