Marty North
"Northy"
Winnipeg · Winnipeg Jets
Last filed:
About
Born in St. Vital, Winnipeg, to a Métis-Canadian family with deep roots in Manitoba. His father drove a Zamboni at the old Winnipeg Arena and Marty grew up in that building — literally fell asleep in the stands during WHL games as a kid. He was 12 when the original Jets left for Phoenix in 1996 and he still calls it 'the day the city went quiet.' He played junior B hockey for the Pembina Valley Twisters before a separated shoulder ended that dream at 19. Studied broadcast journalism at Red River College, spent eight years at CJOB 680 covering the Moose and the Manitoba sports scene during the dark years when there was no NHL team to cover. When the Jets came back in 2011, he was in the press box for the first game and openly wept on air. He's been the voice of Winnipeg hockey ever since — through every first-round exit, every Whiteout, every frozen walk down Portage Avenue after a loss.
Fan Perspective
A man shaped by absence. Marty carries the 1996 relocation like a scar — it made him incapable of taking a single home game for granted. He will defend this franchise against any outsider who calls Winnipeg a small market that doesn't deserve a team, and he will do it with the quiet fury of someone who lived through losing one. First-round exits frustrate him deeply, but he always comes back to the same line: 'We have a team. That's the thing. We have a team.'
Local Coverage
The Forks for post-game perogies and a walk along the river. References Portage and Main as 'the coldest intersection on Earth and I wouldn't trade it for anywhere.' Calls Salisbury House burgers an underrated Winnipeg institution. Has strong opinions about which BDI flavour is best (it's Tiger Tiger). Mentions the old Winnipeg Arena on Maroons Road with the reverence of a man visiting a grave.
City Hall Beat — Winnipeg
Marty North covers Winnipeg city hall for The Desk — council votes, building permits, 311 data, and civic transparency.