Matt Martin, one of the most popular Islanders of the last two decades, has retired after 15 NHL seasons, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon. He has been named a special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche.
The 36-year-old left-winger played 13 of his 15 pro seasons with the Islanders, ranking eighth in franchise history with 855 games played, first with 3,484 hits, and sixth with 995 penalty minutes.
His 3,930 total hits rank second all-time in NHL history.
Alongside Cal Clutterbuck, who officially announced his retirement in April after not playing in 2024-25, and Casey Cizikas, Martin was a part of what was considered the best fourth line in hockey through the latter portions of the 2010s and into the early years of this decade.
A bruising, relentless forward whose game was predicated on physicality, he was a fan favorite and the epitome of a good soldier, as his intensity remained undimmed regardless of where the inconsistent Islanders were in his journey. After making the playoffs just three times in his first six seasons, he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2016-17 season, signed by Lou Lamoriello.
Following a two-year stint, he returned to the Islanders after Lamoriello took over as team president and general manager.
With Martin back in their ranks, New York made the playoffs five times in the next six years, including two straight Stanley Cup semifinal appearances in 2020 and 2021. His 82 career playoff games are the most by any Islander since 1991.
The writing had been on the wall that Martin’s Islanders tenure, and potentially his career, was coming to an end. He appeared in just 32 games in 2024-25 under head coach Patrick Roy, but the respect between the two never wavered.
“I haven’t seen a guy be so passionate about the game, loving the game,” Roy said of Martin before what was his final home game on April 16. “I know whatever decision he makes, he’ll remain in the game of hockey. You could tell how much he loves the game. Not playing, he was talking to the players, he had a great attitude about the situation and I’m happy to see him playing. Even the players, they respect him so much, and they have so much love for him.”
He is also highly regarded in almost every corner of the NHL, as seen following his final game at UBS Arena, when the visiting Washington Capitals met Martin at center ice and shook hands with him.
Alongside the standing ovation, a fitting send-off for a franchise hero.
“This is a special place,” Martin said. “I’ve been so proud to wear this jersey and be a part of this team and community.”
