Matt Martin (ice hockey, born 1989)

Matt Martin
Martin with the New York Islanders in January 2015
Born (1989-05-08) May 8, 1989
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 New York Islanders
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL Draft 148th overall, 2008
New York Islanders
Playing career 2009–present

Matthew Martin (born May 8, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Martin is known for his strong checking abilities. Martin also holds the NHL record for most hits in a season. In the NHL, Martin has been described as both an enforcer and a grinder.

Playing career

Amateur

Martin tried out for his local AAA team, the Windsor Jr. Spitfires, but was cut and played AA hockey for the Lasalle Sabres. In 2005-06 he made the Blenheim Blades Jr.C. club as a free agent. In 2006, he tried out with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League as a walk-on, and made the team, playing on a line with Steven Stamkos.[1] He would eventually serve as the captain of the Sarnia Sting.

Professional

Martin was drafted in the fifth round, 148th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Martin was signed by the Islanders to a three-year entry-level contract on September 4, 2009.[2] Martin scored his first NHL goal on October 29, 2010 against Alex Auld of the Montreal Canadiens.

On September 15, 2012, Martin agreed to a four-year contract with the Islanders.[3]

During the 2014–15 NHL season, Martin set the NHL record for most hits in a single season, recording 382 checks.[4]

The following season, during the 2015–16 campaign, Martin's line, consisting of himself, Casey Cizikas, and Cal Clutterbuck was considered to be the best 4th line in the NHL by hockey analysts.[5]

On July 1, 2016, as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, Martin and the Toronto Maple Leafs agreed to a four-year, $10 million contract, worth an average of $2.5 million a season.[6][5] In his first season with Toronto, Martin assumed his role as an enforcer, playing on the fourth line for the team and protecting the plethora of rookies on the roster from hits by other players, and fighting those that ran teammates.[7] The team would qualify for the post-season, with Martin picking up two points in the second game of the series which would see the Maple Leafs lose in six contests 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.[8] 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.[9]

On July 3, 2018, after two seasons with the Maple Leafs, Martin was traded back to the New York Islanders by Toronto in exchange for Eamon McAdam.[10]

Personal life

Martin is engaged to Sydney Esiason, the daughter of former NFL player Boomer Esiason.[11] On March 18, 2018, Martin and Esiason announced their engagement via Twitter.[12][13]

He has an older brother who also played hockey and encouraged him to get involved in the sport.[1]

Career statistics

With the Islanders during the 2013 playoffs.
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2004–05 Windsor Jr. Spitfires MHAO 328111978 —————
2005–06 Blenheim Blades GLJHL 40111223102 —————
2006–07 Sarnia Blast GOJHL 925716 —————
2006–07 Sarnia Sting OHL 3933652 40000
2007–08 Sarnia Sting OHL 66251338155 933616
2008–09 Sarnia Sting OHL 61353065142 530310
2009–10 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 76121931113 51234
2009–10 New York Islanders NHL 502226 —————
2010–11 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 712311 —————
2010–11 New York Islanders NHL 685914147 —————
2011–12 New York Islanders NHL 807714121 —————
2012–13 New York Islanders NHL 48471163 610114
2013–14 New York Islanders NHL 79861490 —————
2014–15 New York Islanders NHL 788614114 701112
2015–16 New York Islanders NHL 8010919119 1100012
2016–17 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82549123 60226
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 50391250 —————
NHL totals 5705059109853 3013444

References

  1. 1 2 LeBourdais, Dyan (July 20, 2011). "Road to the Coliseum: Matt Martin". NHL.com. NHL. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Islanders sign forward Martin". New York Islanders. 2009-09-04. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  3. ↑ "Islanders, Matt Martin Agree To 4-Year Deal". CBS News New York. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "NHL Player Defensive Statistics – 2014–15". ESPN. 2015-04-16. Retrieved 2015-04-16.
  5. 1 2 "Matt Martin signs four-year contract with Maple Leafs". NHL.com. July 1, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Maple Leafs sign free agent forward Matt Martin". NHL.com. July 1, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  7. ↑ Longley, Rob (September 24, 2016). "Matt Martin will have important role protecting young Maple Leafs". Toronto Sun. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  8. ↑ Johnston, Chris (March 5, 2018). "Matt Martin with mixed emotions after getting back into Leafs lineup". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  9. ↑ "NHL announces 31 team nominees for King Clancy Trophy". NHL.com. April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Leafs ship Martin to Islanders for McAdam". The Sports Network. 2018-07-03. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  11. ↑ Longley, Rob (January 12, 2017). "Football great Boomer Esiason a super fan of hockey, Maple Leafs' Martin". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  12. ↑ Hornby, Lance (March 19, 2018). "Leafs' Matt Martin pops the question to Boomer's girl". The National Post. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  13. ↑ @sydneyesaison (March 18, 2018). "Can't wait to marry the sh** out of ya 😜 I love you @mattymarts17" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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