Matt Martin Bio
Matthew Bryan Martin, born on May 8, 1989, in Windsor, Ontario, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who spent his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career with the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, Martin built his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable checking forwards, combining physical play with team-first responsibility. Known for his strong checking abilities, he was widely described as both an enforcer and a grinder throughout his time in the NHL.
Martin was selected 148th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play professionally from 2009 to 2025. During the 2014–15 NHL season, he set the league record for most hits in a single season with 382 checks, a mark that stood until Jérémy Lauzon surpassed it in 2024. Over a 16-year career, Martin became a respected leader in the locker room and a trusted voice in his community.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Bryan Martin was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, a Canadian city with a deep hockey tradition located across the river from Detroit. Growing up in a hockey family, Martin was introduced to the sport at a young age by his older brother, who also played the game and encouraged him to follow the same path. That early support helped shape Martin’s lifelong commitment to the sport and his eventual identity as a physical, team-oriented player.
As a youth, Martin tried out for his local AAA team, the Windsor Jr. Spitfires, but was cut and spent time playing AA hockey for the Lasalle Sabres. The setback did not slow his development, and in 2005–06, he joined the Blenheim Blades Jr. C club as a free agent. These early experiences in lower-tier junior programs taught him the value of hard work and perseverance, lessons he would carry into the rest of his hockey career.
Path to Professional Hockey
Martin’s path to professional hockey accelerated in 2006, when he tried out with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a walk-on and made the team. He played on a line with future NHL star Steven Stamkos, an experience that helped him adjust to the speed and skill required at the major junior level. His growth with the Sting was steady, and he eventually earned the role of team captain, demonstrating the leadership qualities that would later define his NHL career.
After two more seasons of development in the OHL, Martin was selected in the fifth round, 148th overall, by the New York Islanders in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. The Islanders saw in him a hard-nosed winger with size, character, and the willingness to do the difficult jobs on the ice. On September 4, 2009, the Islanders signed Martin to a three-year entry-level contract, officially launching his professional career.
Matt Martin Career
Early Career with the New York Islanders (2009–2012)
Martin began his professional career in the Islanders organization, splitting time between the NHL roster and the American Hockey League during his first seasons. He made his NHL debut and gradually earned a regular spot on the team’s checking lines, contributing with his size, forechecking, and willingness to engage physically. On October 29, 2010, Martin scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Alex Auld of the Montreal Canadiens, a milestone moment in his young career.
As Martin continued to develop, he became a fixture on the Islanders’ lower forward lines, where his energy and physicality made him a fan favorite. On September 15, 2012, the Islanders showed their confidence in his role by agreeing to a four-year contract extension. By that point, Martin had clearly established himself as a steady, hard-working winger in the NHL.
New York Islanders Record-Setting Years (2012–2016)
During the 2014–15 NHL season, Martin set the NHL record for most hits in a single season, recording an impressive 382 checks. The achievement cemented his reputation as one of the most punishing hitters in the league and reflected the role he had grown into with the Islanders. The following season, during the 2015–16 campaign, Martin’s line, consisting of himself, Casey Cizikas, and Cal Clutterbuck, was considered by ice hockey analysts to be one of the best fourth lines in the NHL.
That fourth line became a defining element of the Islanders’ identity, shutting down opposing top players and providing momentum-shifting energy on a nightly basis. Martin’s combination of physical play, shot-blocking, and penalty killing made him a coach’s favorite and a key part of the team’s competitive structure. Together, the trio helped the Islanders remain a difficult opponent during this stretch.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2016–2018)
On July 1, 2016, as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, Martin agreed to a four-year, $10 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, worth an average of $2.5 million a season. In his first season with Toronto, Martin assumed his role as an enforcer, playing on the fourth line and protecting the team’s many rookies from physical play and fighting those who challenged his teammates. The Maple Leafs qualified for the post-season, with Martin picking up two points in the second game of their first-round series, which Toronto ultimately lost in six games to the top-seeded Washington Capitals.
During the 2017–18 season, Martin’s playing numbers diminished, and during a stretch in January and February, he was a healthy scratch for 18 consecutive games. He ended the regular season with 12 points in 50 games. On April 23, 2018, Martin was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy as a player who best exemplifies leadership qualities and made humanitarian contributions to the community. After two seasons with the Maple Leafs, he was traded back to the New York Islanders on July 3, 2018, in exchange for Eamon McAdam.
Return to the New York Islanders (2018–2025)
During his first season back with the Islanders, Martin was placed on injured reserve on November 15 with an upper-body injury that occurred on November 1, after scoring three goals in 11 games. He was activated off injured reserve on November 26 and resumed his role as a steady veteran presence. On January 11, 2021, Martin was signed to a four-year, $6 million extension with the Islanders, further rewarding his long-term contributions to the franchise.
At the conclusion of his four-year contract, Martin was an unsigned free agent leading into the 2024–25 season. On October 26, 2024, he continued his tenure with the New York Islanders by agreeing to a one-year contract. He featured in 32 regular season games, adding two assists in a depth forward role. On June 24, 2025, Martin announced his retirement from the NHL and joined the New York Islanders front office, becoming a special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche.
Playing Style and Strengths
Matt Martin was known throughout his career for his physical, abrasive playing style, finishing checks along the boards, blocking shots, and winning battles in the defensive zone. He excelled in a bottom-six role, particularly on the penalty kill and as a shutdown forward against opposing top lines. Martin’s hockey IQ and willingness to do the unglamorous work made him an ideal fit for a fourth-line energy role and earned him the trust of coaches in both New York and Toronto.
Notable Events and Milestones
Martin’s most celebrated milestone came during the 2014–15 season, when he set the NHL record for most hits in a single season with 382 checks, a mark that stood for nearly a decade. His first NHL goal, scored on October 29, 2010, against Alex Auld of the Montreal Canadiens, was another key career moment. His 2018 King Clancy Memorial Trophy nomination reflected his impact beyond the ice, highlighting the leadership and humanitarian contributions that defined his career.
Matt Martin Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Matt Martin was raised in Windsor, Ontario, in a family with a strong connection to hockey. His older brother also played the sport and was instrumental in encouraging Matt to get involved at a young age. That early influence helped spark Martin’s lifelong love of the game and shaped the hard-working, team-first identity he carried into his professional career.
Personal Life
Matt Martin is married to Sydney Esiason, the daughter of former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason. The couple has two daughters and two sons. Outside of hockey, Martin has remained active in charitable work. In the summer of 2015, he started the Matt Martin Foundation to raise money for causes such as the NYPD Widows and Children’s Fund, the Association for Children with Down Syndrome, the Boomer Esiason Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis, and the Islanders Children’s Foundation. In 2016, he was named a finalist for the NHL Foundation Player Award due to his involvement in the community and charity work.
2025 Season Performance
Matt Martin’s 2024–25 season with the New York Islanders served as the final chapter of his playing career. Signed to a one-year contract on October 26, 2024, he appeared in 32 regular season games, contributing two assists in a depth forward role. As a veteran presence in the locker room, he continued to support the team’s younger players and provide leadership during a transitional period for the organization.
On June 24, 2025, Martin announced his retirement from the NHL, closing a 16-year professional career that began in 2009. Rather than stepping away from the game entirely, he transitioned into the New York Islanders’ front office, becoming a special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche. The move allowed Martin to remain closely involved with the franchise that drafted him in 2008 and to contribute his experience in a new capacity.
Looking ahead, Martin’s role in the Islanders’ front office is expected to grow as the team continues to develop its roster and build for the future. His deep knowledge of the game, his leadership qualities, and his longstanding relationship with the organization position him well for a continued impact off the ice. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how his front-office career unfolds in the seasons to come.
