The Clarkson Connection: Trey Taylor and Ayrton Martino
by Catherine Morrison
Feb 17, 2026The step up from college hockey to the pros can often be a big adjustment. Sometimes, familiarity and chemistry can smooth that transition.
Rookies Trey Taylor and Ayrton Martino are in their first season with the Texas Stars, but this will be their fourth consecutive year as teammates. While they've spent a significant amount of their careers playing together, their journey to the Stars organization couldn’t have looked more different.
Martino was drafted in the third round by the Dallas Stars in 2021, 73rd overall and was recruited by Clarkson. It took the Toronto native a few seasons to adjust, but Martino had a breakout senior season, finishing as Clarkson's leader in goals, assists, points, and game-winning goals. Martino scored nine goals as a junior and erupted for 25 as a senior. His 51 points earned him ECAC Player of the Year and he was named a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best men's hockey player in the NCAA.
"The biggest turning point for me was our senior year,” said Martino. “The new coach [J.F.] Houle has done a great job with that program. He taught me how to be a pro, and he taught me everything that I needed to learn to make that jump. That pivot point was where I was trusted more in a role where I had to play, manage pucks, and do all the right things.”
Meanwhile, Taylor was undrafted heading into college, but rose through the ranks at Clarkson and was named the Best Defensive Defenseman back-to-back seasons in the ECAC. As the team’s captain during his junior season, Taylor had 29 points (9-20—29) in 39 games. Taylor and Martino shared a significant amount of ice time in their final collegiate season, with Taylor assisting on 24% of the forward's goals.
Martino already knew he was heading to Texas after college and had attended development camp in Dallas multiple times, but Taylor decided to turn pro after his junior season and had options. His college success drew the attention of several scouts, including Texas General Manager Scott White, and ultimately Taylor chose to sign a two-year entry level contract with Dallas.
"I signed right after the season ended,” said Martino. “[Trey] was deciding what he was going to do, and once he told me, I was obviously really happy for him. He's earned every spot that he's had and earned that contract. As you can see, he's a great player... He’s one of my good buddies and through those three years there, we were also pushing each other. He's an unbelievable person, great player, and learned so much. It's easy going to a new spot when you have a little bit of familiarity with someone you already know."
Both players reported to Cedar Park after Clarkson's 2024-25 season ended, just in time for a deep playoff run with the Stars.
Taylor played ten games in the regular season and 14 in the Calder Cup Playoffs. He scored his first pro goal on May 9 vs Grand Rapids. The rookie defenseman has quickly clicked on the Texas Stars and has consistently played on the top defensive pairing this season, stepping up after Dallas had a wealth of injuries on their blue line.
Taylor credits the veterans on the team for helping him adjust to his new role.
“Being able to soak information in from other people and learn from so many older guys who have played a long time, just kind of picking their brain, it’s been a great experience so far. I’m really grateful to have a good group of guys and leaders on this team I can look up to, take things from, apply to my everyday life, and to my game too.”
After playing four games late last season with Texas, Martino started the 2025-26 campaign in the ECHL with the Idaho Steelheads. The young forward immediately made an impact, scoring two goals and earning two assists in three games against the Tahoe Knight Monsters. The rookie easily secured a call-up back to the AHL and earned an assist his first night back with the Stars.
“It's good to go down there, gain some confidence, and play a lot more minutes,” said Martino. “Managing pucks was the biggest thing. Knowing when to take chances and to make plays, versus when to keep the puck going north, keep the puck in corners, and good areas in the ice.”
Transitioning from college play to the pro level can be tricky for rookies to adjust to, but Martino and Taylor were able to lean on each other as they moved from the Empire State to the heart of Texas.
"[College] was obviously a great experience and being able to turn pro with one of your buddies is always easier,” said Taylor. “Just having someone to lean on, even early last year during our playoff run with Texas... If he needs something or I need something, you always have a good teammate, someone you can trust, that you went to school with.”
Playing together for the past four years has resulted in a deep level of respect on both sides.
"[Ayrton is] probably one of the smartest players I've ever played with, pro, college, and juniors,” said Taylor. “He just sees the game so much better than so many other people. He has elite skating, puck handling, and I think his IQ is just off the charts."
Martino had similar praise for Taylor. "He's dynamic. He can skate like the wind. He's an NHL-ready defenseman, in my opinion. He defends hard. I think his defensive game doesn't get as much credit as it deserves, but he can defend well. He plays all three zones, he plays on the power play, he blocks shots, he does it all.”
The path to the NHL can be difficult, as players navigate new teams, roles, and cities. Having a friendly face on the ice can only help as Martino and Taylor each aspire to make the three-hour drive to Dallas one day.