GLENDALE – Jordan Martinook feels the clock is ticking on his dream of becoming a full-time NHL player and that a strong showing at this year’s training camp is essential to his future.

“I’ve been in the minors for the past three years and time’s kind of running out,” Martinook said after Friday’s skate at Gila River Arena. “You only get so many looks. I really realize that this year so I’m trying to put my head down and go to work. Every time I'm on the ice I’m trying to make an impression and show by my work ethic how much I want to be here.”

Head Coach Dave Tippett has liked what he has seen from Martinook in the first week of camp.

Jordan Martinook. Photo by Getty Images.

“He’s a good player,” Tippett said. “When you watch him play and even when you watch him practice he plays fast and makes good plays. He’s a player that is very determined right now to make our team and he’s noticeable out there.”



Martinook has played in two preseason games this week. On Tuesday, he scored a shorthanded goal against Los Angeles that tied the score in the third period. Beyond that, he’s consistently doing the little things – such as winning one-on-one battles – that Tippett likes to see a player do.

“That’s kind of what my thing is – do the little things right and that will transform into bigger things,” Martinook said.

The Coyotes selected Martinook, 23, with the 58th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. Since then he has been a regular for the team’s American Hockey League affiliate.

Last season he played eight games for the Coyotes over two stints, one in December and the other in February, but was sent back to the AHL to finish the season.

“This camp has been a big step for me,” Martinook said. “…If I get that chance (to play in the NHL again), I’m going to grab onto it with everything I’ve got and I’m not going to let anybody take it from me. Nobody took it from me last year, but I didn’t play well enough to keep it.”

Martinook is auditioning for a role as a bottom-six forward. He can play center or wing.

Asked if there’s room for Martinook on this year’s roster, Tippett said: “We’ll see. You’ve always got room for good players.”

Mike Smith. Photo by Norm Hall.

► Captain Shane Doan, who has yet to play a preseason game because of a lower-body injury, skated with both groups on Friday morning.

“He’s got to get up and moving and he feels a lot better today so we’ll see,” Tippett said.

Doan is expected to accompany the team on its two-game trip to Vancouver and Edmonton next week.

► Goalie Mike Smith was supposed to have made his first start of the preseason on Friday night but plans changed Friday morning when Smith reported that he was a little bit sore after playing in the Red vs. White Intra-Squad game on Thursday night.

Louis Domingue was added to Friday's roster to replace Smith. He and Anders Lindback will split time against the Sharks.

► The Coyotes trimmed six players from the roster on Friday. Forty-three players remain in camp.

Four of the players who were cut were sent to the AHL: Michael Bunting, Alex Grant, Dustin Jeffrey and Eric Selleck. Ryan MacInnis and Dysin Mayo were assigned to their junior teams.