Medo Martinello
Encyclopedia
Medo Martinello is a former Professional box lacrosse
player, coach, and ice hockey
referee, born in Windsor, Ontario
, Canada
of Italian
descent. He is a member of the Windsor and Essex County Sports Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Canadian Government 125th Anniversary of Confederation Medal
"for outstanding Achievements on behalf of Canada".
on December 6, 1935.
He played box lacrosse
from the age of 12, playing in the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League with Windsor Joe's Cement in his later teens. He played in the OLA Senior B Lacrosse League
in the 1960s and 1970s winning the OLA Sr. B title in 1961 with the Leamington Clippers and later the 1970 and 1971 Canadian National Championship Presidents Cup
with the Windsor Clippers and Windsor Warlocks.
In 1962, Medo played for the Brampton Ramblers
of the OLA Sr. A League
, then the highest level of the sport in the world. In 1968, he had an 8-game stint with the newly formed professional Detroit Olympics
of the National Lacrosse League
, again, then the highest level for the sport in its era.
In hockey, Medo played his junior hockey with the Blenheim Blades
of the Border Cities Junior B Hockey League before becoming a referee. From 1953 to 1955, Martinello was a minor hockey referee. From 1956 until 1960, he reffed Junior B and C in the Ontario Hockey Association
. In the 1960s, Martinello reffed in the elite-amateur OHA Senior A Hockey League
and professional International Hockey League
. From 1970 until 1989, Medo reffed all levels of Junior hockey, from A down to C, for the OHA. In 1972, Medo became the first Canadian
to referee an NCAA Final, the game was between Boston University
and Denver University. Medo often was chosen to ref international games between NCAA and IHL teams and the likes of Russia
and Czechoslovakia
and also helped to create the 2-referee system in the NCAA in the 1970s, since followed by most major leagues.
As a coach, Martinello led the Windsor Warlocks Jr. C Lacrosse team to OLA and Eastern Canadian titles in 1972 and 1973. He led the 1975 Quebec Caribous
of the National Lacrosse League to a professional championship. From 1989 until 1992, Medo coached the Detroit Turbos
of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League winning the 1991 league championship.
In 1992, Martinello was honoured by the Canadian Government with the 125th Anniversary of Confederation Medal
"for outstandings Achievements on behalf of Canada". On November 13, 2001, Medo was inducted into the Windsor and Essex County Sports Hall of Fame as a Founder.
Box lacrosse
Box lacrosse, also known as indoor lacrosse and sometimes shortened to boxla, LAX or simply box, is an indoor version of lacrosse played mostly in North America. The game originated in Canada, where it is the most popular version of the game played in contrast to the traditional field lacrosse game...
player, coach, and ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
referee, born in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
of Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
descent. He is a member of the Windsor and Essex County Sports Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Canadian Government 125th Anniversary of Confederation Medal
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal is a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada...
"for outstanding Achievements on behalf of Canada".
Biography
Martinello was born in Windsor, OntarioWindsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
on December 6, 1935.
He played box lacrosse
Box lacrosse
Box lacrosse, also known as indoor lacrosse and sometimes shortened to boxla, LAX or simply box, is an indoor version of lacrosse played mostly in North America. The game originated in Canada, where it is the most popular version of the game played in contrast to the traditional field lacrosse game...
from the age of 12, playing in the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League with Windsor Joe's Cement in his later teens. He played in the OLA Senior B Lacrosse League
OLA Senior B Lacrosse League
The OLA Senior B Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league based out of Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Many of the players in the league play or have played in the National Lacrosse League...
in the 1960s and 1970s winning the OLA Sr. B title in 1961 with the Leamington Clippers and later the 1970 and 1971 Canadian National Championship Presidents Cup
Presidents Cup (box lacrosse)
The Presidents Cup is the National Senior level box lacrosse championship for the Canadian Lacrosse Association. The Championship is annual and awards a "Gold", "Silver", and "Bronze" placing. The skill levels have been adjusted in recent years, Senior "B" teams from across Canada now compete for...
with the Windsor Clippers and Windsor Warlocks.
In 1962, Medo played for the Brampton Ramblers
Brampton Excelsiors
Brampton Excelsiors may be:*A team that competes in an OLA league at some level:**Brampton Excelsiors who compete in Major Series Lacrosse**Brampton Excelsiors Jr. A who compete in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League...
of the OLA Sr. A League
Major Series Lacrosse
Major Series Lacrosse is a Senior A box lacrosse league based out of Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Most of the players in the league play or have played in the National Lacrosse League. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the right to compete against the...
, then the highest level of the sport in the world. In 1968, he had an 8-game stint with the newly formed professional Detroit Olympics
Detroit Olympics
The Detroit Olympics were a minor league hockey team located in Detroit, Michigan that was a member of the Canadian Professional Hockey League 1927-29 and the International-American Hockey League 1929-36. The team played all of their home games at the Detroit Olympia...
of the National Lacrosse League
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
, again, then the highest level for the sport in its era.
In hockey, Medo played his junior hockey with the Blenheim Blades
Blenheim Blades
The Blenheim Blades are a Junior "C" team based out of Blenheim, Ontario. They play out of the Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League.-History:In 1968, the Golden Blades joined the Border Cities Junior "B" Hockey League. In 1971, the league was demoted and renamed the Great Lakes Junior "C" Hockey...
of the Border Cities Junior B Hockey League before becoming a referee. From 1953 to 1955, Martinello was a minor hockey referee. From 1956 until 1960, he reffed Junior B and C in the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
. In the 1960s, Martinello reffed in the elite-amateur OHA Senior A Hockey League
OHA Senior A Hockey League
The OHA Senior A Hockey League was a top tier Canadian Senior ice hockey league in Ontario from 1975 until 1987. The league was sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association and competed for the Allan Cup.-History:...
and professional International Hockey League
International Hockey League
The International Hockey League was a minor professional ice hockey league in the United States and Canada that operated from 1945 to 2001. The IHL served as the National Hockey League's alternate farm system to the American Hockey League . After 56 years of operation, financial instability led to...
. From 1970 until 1989, Medo reffed all levels of Junior hockey, from A down to C, for the OHA. In 1972, Medo became the first Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to referee an NCAA Final, the game was between Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
and Denver University. Medo often was chosen to ref international games between NCAA and IHL teams and the likes of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
and also helped to create the 2-referee system in the NCAA in the 1970s, since followed by most major leagues.
As a coach, Martinello led the Windsor Warlocks Jr. C Lacrosse team to OLA and Eastern Canadian titles in 1972 and 1973. He led the 1975 Quebec Caribous
Quebec Caribous
The Quebec Caribous were a member of the National Lacrosse League of 1974-75. The franchise was originally the Syracuse Stingers who were founded in 1974 with the creation of the league. They played their first and only season in Quebec in 1975 and were the league champions...
of the National Lacrosse League to a professional championship. From 1989 until 1992, Medo coached the Detroit Turbos
Detroit Turbos
The Detroit Turbos were a member of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1989 to 1994. They were based in Detroit, Michigan. The Turbos won the 1991 MILL Championship.-Awards & honors:1A) All Time Roster-All time Record:-Playoff Results:...
of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League winning the 1991 league championship.
In 1992, Martinello was honoured by the Canadian Government with the 125th Anniversary of Confederation Medal
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal is a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada...
"for outstandings Achievements on behalf of Canada". On November 13, 2001, Medo was inducted into the Windsor and Essex County Sports Hall of Fame as a Founder.
Player Statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||
| Season | League | Team | GP | G | A | P | PIM | GP | G | A | P | PIM |
| 1962 | OLA Sr. A Major Series Lacrosse Major Series Lacrosse is a Senior A box lacrosse league based out of Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Most of the players in the league play or have played in the National Lacrosse League. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the right to compete against the... |
Brampton Ramblers Brampton Excelsiors Brampton Excelsiors may be:*A team that competes in an OLA league at some level:**Brampton Excelsiors who compete in Major Series Lacrosse**Brampton Excelsiors Jr. A who compete in the OLA Junior A Lacrosse League... |
4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 10 | DNP | ||||
| 1963 | OLA Int. A | Wallaceburg Red Devils Wallaceburg Red Devils The Wallaceburg Red Devils are Junior "B" box lacrosse team from Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada. The Red Devils play in the OLA Junior B Lacrosse League.-History:... |
3 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 4 | DNP | ||||
| 1964 | OLA Sr. B OLA Senior B Lacrosse League The OLA Senior B Lacrosse League is a box lacrosse league based out of Ontario, Canada sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association. Many of the players in the league play or have played in the National Lacrosse League... |
DNP | ||||||||||
| 1965 | OLA Sr. B | Windsor Clippers | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 13 |
| 1966 | OLA Sr. B | Windsor Clippers | 17 | 40 | 10 | 50 | 63 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 30 |
| 1967 | OLA Sr. B | Windsor Clippers | 16 | 33 | 9 | 42 | 49 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 13 |
| 1968 | OLA Sr. B | Windsor Clippers | xx | 12 | 4 | 16 | xx | xx | 4 | 0 | 4 | xx |
| 1968 | NLL | Detroit Olympics | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 20 | DNP | ||||
| 1969 | OLA Sr. B | DNP | ||||||||||
| 1970 | OLA Sr. B | Windsor Clippers | 14 | 21 | 33 | 54 | 59 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 24 |
| 1971 | OLA Sr. B | Windsor Warlocks | 7 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 24 | 15 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 53 |
Coaching Record
| Year | League | Team | Record | Win% | Playoffs |
| 1972 | OLA Jr. C | Windsor Warlocks | 16-4 | .800 | Lost Final |
| 1973 | OLA Jr. C | Windsor Warlocks | 18-2 | .900 | OLA & Eastern Canada Champions |
| 1975 | NLL | Quebec Caribous Quebec Caribous The Quebec Caribous were a member of the National Lacrosse League of 1974-75. The franchise was originally the Syracuse Stingers who were founded in 1974 with the creation of the league. They played their first and only season in Quebec in 1975 and were the league champions... |
22-24-2 | .479 | NLL Champions |
| 1989 1989 MILL season -Team Movement:1989 saw the MILL expand by two teams: the New England Blazers and the Detroit Turbos. The New Jersey Saints also moved to Long Island, New York, becoming the New York Saints.-Regular season:... |
MILL | Detroit Turbos Detroit Turbos The Detroit Turbos were a member of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League from 1989 to 1994. They were based in Detroit, Michigan. The Turbos won the 1991 MILL Championship.-Awards & honors:1A) All Time Roster-All time Record:-Playoff Results:... |
6-2 | .750 | Lost Semi-final |
| 1990 1990 MILL season -Awards:-All-Pro Teams:First Team:*John Fay, New England*Brad Kotz, Philadelphia*Brian Nikula, Pittsburgh*Rick Sowell, Baltimore*John Tucker, Philadelphia*Ted Sawicki, Detroit Second Team:*Don Borges, New York... |
MILL | Detroit Turbos | 1-7 | .125 | DNQ |
| 1991 1991 MILL season The 1991 season began on December 29, 1990 and concluded with the championship game on April 6, 1991.-Team Movement:No teams were added, removed, or relocated in the 1991 season... |
MILL | Detroit Turbos | 8-2 | .800 | MILL Champions |
| 1992 1992 MILL season -Awards:-All-Pro Teams:First Team:*Gary Gait, Detroit*Paul Gait, Detroit*Dave Pietramala, Pittsburgh*Rick Sowell, Baltimore*John Tucker, Philadelphia*Sal LoCascio, New York Second Team:*Jeff Jackson, Baltimore*Derek Keenan, Buffalo... |
MILL | Detroit Turbos | 8-2 | .800 | Lost Division Final |