JAKE MARTO

North Dakota

Jr. | D | Grand Forks, N.D.

All 17 of Jake Marto's points last season came in the final 29 games of the year.

Key Statistics: As has become a yearly team-wide tradition at North Dakota, Marto started slow and finished strong. After recording zero points in his first 14 games as a sophomore, he notched career highs in goals (6), assists (11) and points (17) in the final 29 games of the season.

What He Does: After a solid if not superlative freshman year, Marto dealt with what his coach calls “tougher minutes” right away in year two, facing opponents’ first and second lines, rather than the third and fourth lines he’d faced as a rookie. He struggled early in the season, as did his team which was 5-8-1 on Dec. 1. But once Marto’s comfort level and confidence improved, things turned around quickly. The team went on a 19-4-3 tear, won the WCHA, and by the end of the season Sioux coach Dave Hakstol was calling the duo of Marto and Derek LaPoint the team’s best defensive pair.

The Bigger Picture: Hakstol threw Marto into special teams roles right away last season, which suits the Grand Forks townie just fine. Marto could hardly feel more comfortable playing for the Sioux, after spending his childhood idolizing North Dakota stars like the Panzer brothers. Now getting to play the part he dreamed about as a kid, Marto says he relishes time killing penalties and opportunities to be aggressive, trying to jump passes and pounce on an opponent that turns his back or bobbles the puck even a little bit. The coach says that Marto is blessed with tremendous skating ability, and the statistics say he’s a key to the team’s overall success. Marto had all 17 of his points and was a team-best +26 in NoDak’s 24 wins last season. He had no points, and was a team-worst -18 in the 15 Sioux losses.

Fighting Sioux coach Dave Hakstol on Marto: “Jake is a young guy that flies under the radar a little bit, but he’s a very efficient defenseman. He’s efficient moving the puck, efficient defending the puck, and very heady when it comes to jumping into the play and joining the rush.”