Jets goalie Seth Martin dies at 81

Seth Martin, who was the Spokane Jets’ goaltender when they became the first team from the United States to win senior amateur hockey’s Allan Cup, died Saturday at the age of 81 in Trail, British Coumbia.

Martin was also on the Canadian team that placed fourth in the 1964 Winter Olympics and a member of the International Hockey Hall of Fame.

He spent one season in the National Hockey League – 1968-69 – playing in 30 regular-season games and two playoff games with the St. Louis Blues.

Martin, who was born in Rossland, B.C., played in the world championships five times.

In 1970, he joined the Jets. Under coach Al Rollins, he helped Spokane to a third straight Savage Cup, a Patton Cup victory and an Allan Cup championship – the first American team to win the trophy awarded to the top senior amateur team in Canadian hockey.

Martin, who spent most of his hockey career with Canadian teams, played from 1950-1973. He also coached the Spokane Flyers for one season (1978-79) in the professional Pacific Hockey League. Spokane finished third and Martin was named the PHL Coach of the Year.

Martin, who had been battling cancer, was visiting North Idaho when he suffered a heart attack. He died in Trail a week later.

He is survived by his wife, Bev, and three daughters.