Rochester, MN — Drummondville, Quebec-native, Marty Raymond, brings a wealth of experience to the Rochester Grizzlies organization, with a coaching journey that has taken him across North America and Europe over nearly three decades.
His first taste of leadership came in 1995–96 as a player-coach for Cergy in France, where he transitioned from the ice to the bench while still competing. That experience paved the way for his move to the Western Collegiate Hockey League, first with the Tucson Gila Monsters from 1997–99, then with the Phoenix Mustangs from 1999–2001, where he served as Director of Hockey Operations and Vice President of Hockey Operations. During the 1999–2000 season, he guided Phoenix to a WCHL championship—one of the early highlights of his career.
Raymond then began a long and successful chapter with the Bakersfield Condors, starting in the WCHL before the team transitioned into the ECHL. He joined the staff in the early 2000s and became head coach in 2003–04, leading the Condors for ten seasons and becoming a cornerstone of the franchise.
His reputation for building competitive, disciplined teams earned him opportunities overseas, and in 2011 he took the helm of KHL Medveščak Zagreb in the EBEL (Austrian Hockey League). He later coached SAPA Fehérvár AV19 in Hungary, completing three seasons in the EBEL before moving to Italy in 2014–15. There, with Ritten/Renon, he captured the Coppa Italia and guided the team to the league finals, adding another championship to his résumé.
Returning to North America, Raymond turned his attention toward player development at the grassroots level. From 2016–2020, he worked with the LA Kings High School Hockey League’s Kern County Knights, helping mentor high school athletes in Southern California. He has also spent years coaching youth hockey from Mites to Bantam, instilling core skills and a love for the game in the next generation. Over the past four years, he has been behind the bench for Cotter Schools in Winona, Minnesota, while also working closely with the Winona Hockey Association to lead skills training and player development initiatives.
Off the ice, Raymond has been married for 19 years and is the proud father of three children. His blend of professional success, international experience, and deep roots in youth hockey development make him uniquely suited to lead the Rochester Grizzlies into their next chapter.
Now, as the Grizzlies welcome him as its new head coach, the organization gains not only a proven winner but also a mentor who has dedicated his career to building players’ abilities and character both on and off the ice.
Marty had this to say about joining the Grizzlies Organization “I am very excited to join the Rochester Grizzlies, a great organization with a winning culture. I’m looking forward to continuing the hard work coach Veen has done and to collaborate with an experienced coaching staff. I’m looking forward to welcoming the players at camp in the coming weeks and meeting the great fans of the team.”
The Grizzlies Open up the Season at the Wisconsin Woodsmen in Tomah, WI on September 12th, and return home on September 13th to play the Woodsmen at 7:00pm at the Rec Center! Tickets can be found at tickets.rochestergrizz.com