Matt Martin Bio
Matthew Bryan Martin (born May 8, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Known for his strong checking abilities, Martin previously held the NHL record for most hits in a single season, a mark later surpassed by Jérémy Lauzon in 2024. Across his career, he earned a reputation as both an enforcer and a grinder, playing a physical, defensive role for his teams.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Bryan Martin was born on May 8, 1989, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in a hockey family and was encouraged to take up the sport by his older brother, who also played the game. That early influence helped shape his physical approach to the ice, a style that would later define his professional career.
As a young player in Windsor, Martin tried out for his local AAA team, the Windsor Junior Spitfires, but was cut and spent time playing AA hockey for the Lasalle Sabres. In 2005–06, he joined the Blenheim Blades Junior C club as a free agent, continuing to develop his game at the grassroots level.
Path to Hockey
Martin’s path to the professional ranks began in 2006, when he attended the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League as a walk-on. He made the team and played on a line with future NHL star Steven Stamkos. He eventually served as captain of the Sarnia Sting, demonstrating the leadership qualities that would become a hallmark of his career.
His play in the Ontario Hockey League caught the attention of NHL scouts, and in 2008 he was selected in the fifth round, 148th overall, by the New York Islanders in the NHL Entry Draft. That selection launched his professional career and set the stage for a long tenure in the league.
Matt Martin Career
Early Career (2009–2012)
Matthew Bryan Martin signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders on September 4, 2009. He began his professional career in the American Hockey League, working to develop his physical brand of hockey. He scored his first NHL goal on October 29, 2010, against goaltender Alex Auld of the Montreal Canadiens, marking a memorable early milestone.
On September 15, 2012, Martin agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Islanders, solidifying his role as a depth forward and physical presence. Throughout these early seasons, he built a reputation for delivering heavy body checks and protecting teammates, the foundation of his identity as an NHL enforcer.
New York Islanders Breakthrough (2012–2016)
During the 2014–15 NHL season, Martin set the NHL record for most hits in a single season, recording 382 checks. That single-season total stood as the league benchmark for nearly a decade. The achievement cemented his status as one of the most punishing hitters of his era.
The following season, in 2015–16, Martin’s line, featuring himself, Casey Cizikas, and Cal Clutterbuck, was widely regarded as one of the best fourth lines in the NHL. The trio’s energy, checking, and penalty killing became a key part of the Islanders’ identity and helped the team remain competitive during that stretch.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2016–2018)
On July 1, 2016, Martin signed a four-year, $10 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an unrestricted free agent, averaging $2.5 million per season. In his first season with Toronto, he assumed the role of enforcer on the fourth line, protecting the team’s many rookies from opposing physical play and engaging in fights when teammates were targeted.
The Maple Leafs qualified for the postseason that year, with Martin picking up two points in the second game of their first-round series. Toronto ultimately lost in six games to the top-seeded Washington Capitals. During the 2017–18 season, his offensive production diminished, and he was a healthy scratch for 18 consecutive games in January and February. He finished the regular season with 12 points in 50 games and was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy on April 23, 2018, recognizing his leadership and humanitarian contributions.
New York Islanders Return (2018–2025)
On July 3, 2018, after two seasons with the Maple Leafs, Martin was traded back to the New York Islanders in exchange for goaltender Eamon McAdam. During his first season back, he was placed on injured reserve on November 15 with an upper-body injury, having scored three goals in 11 games, matching his total from his final year in Toronto. He was activated off injured reserve on November 26.
On January 11, 2021, Martin signed a four-year, $6 million extension with the Islanders. After becoming an unsigned free agent leading into the 2024–25 season, he agreed to a new one-year contract with the Islanders on October 26, 2024. He appeared in 32 regular-season games, adding two assists in a depth forward role. On June 24, 2025, Matthew Bryan Martin announced his retirement from the NHL and joined the Islanders’ front office as a special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche.
Driving Style and Strengths
Matt Martin built his career on physicality, forechecking, and penalty killing. His straight-line style, willingness to finish checks, and ability to play a responsible defensive game made him a fixture on the fourth line. He was also known for dropping the gloves to defend teammates, fitting the traditional NHL enforcer mold.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining milestone of Martin’s career came during the 2014–15 season, when his 382 hits set a new NHL single-season record. His nomination for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2018 further highlighted his leadership and character, while his return to the Islanders in 2018 and continued contributions through 2025 reflected his lasting value to the organization.
Matt Martin Career Wins
Matthew Bryan Martin did not accumulate major individual trophies during his NHL career, but his statistical milestones speak to his role as a physical force. His single-season hits record and durable presence on the fourth line defined his contributions to winning team hockey over more than a decade.
NHL Highlights
Across his time in the NHL, Martin established himself as one of the league’s most consistent hitters. His 382-hit campaign in 2014–15 stood as the league benchmark for nearly a decade. He reached the postseason with both the Islanders and the Maple Leafs, contributing in a depth role and protecting star teammates throughout his career.
Other Wins and Performances
Martin’s junior career with the Sarnia Sting included a captaincy, reflecting the leadership qualities recognized early in his development. His continued presence on NHL rosters for fifteen seasons, from 2009–10 through 2024–25, stands as a testament to his durability, professionalism, and the consistent value he brought to his teams.
Matt Martin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matthew Bryan Martin grew up in Windsor, Ontario, in a hockey household. His older brother also played the sport and was an early influence, encouraging him to get involved and supporting his development through the youth ranks.
Personal Life
Martin is married to Sydney Esiason, the daughter of former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason. The couple has two daughters and two sons. In the summer of 2015, he founded the Matt Martin Foundation, which raises money for causes including 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, his charity work led to a nomination as a finalist for the NHL Foundation Player Award.
2025 Season Performance
Matt Martin’s 2024–25 campaign marked the final chapter of his playing career. Signed to a one-year contract on October 26, 2024, he served in a depth forward role, appearing in 32 regular-season games and recording two assists. His contributions, though limited in offensive output, reflected the steady, reliable presence he had offered throughout his career.
On June 24, 2025, Martin announced his retirement from the NHL after fifteen professional seasons. The Islanders quickly brought him into the front office as a special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche, a transition that kept him within the organization he spent the bulk of his career with.
Martin’s legacy in 2025 centers on durability, leadership, and a single-season hits record that stood for nearly a decade. His move into management signals the next phase of his hockey career, where his experience and character are expected to continue shaping the New York Islanders.