NHL veteran Matt Martin will serve as an assistant to New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche, after he confirmed his retirement on Tuesday after 15 seasons
17:19 ET, 24 Jun 2025Updated 17:20 ET, 24 Jun 2025
Matt Martin has retired from the NHL but will remain with the New York Islanders(Image: 2025 NHLI)
Matt Martin has officially announced his retirement from the NHL after 15 seasons, and will transition into a front office role after agreeing to become a special assistant to New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche.
Martin’s retirement was expected, as the veteran only signed a one-year, $775,000 contract after his previous extension expired. Martin spent 13 of his 15 seasons with the Islanders, and he was honored at his final home game on April 15 as the Washington Capitals visited UBS Arena.
Capitals star Alex Ovechkin had just broken Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal record against the Islanders weeks before, as ticket prices surpassed $1,000 at UBS Arena. However, for Martin’s final home, the Capitals all lined up to congratulate him on his career, and he now moves upstairs after agreeing to stay with the organization.
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“New York Islanders forward Matt Martin announced his retirement from the National Hockey League today after 15 NHL seasons,” the Islanders wrote in a statement Tuesday. “With his announcement, Islanders General Manager and Executive Vice President Mathieu Darche has named Martin a Special Assistant to the General Manager.”
Martin was drafted by the Islanders in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2008 NHL entry draft and signed his three-year entry-level contract on Sept. 4, 2009. While Martin ended up becoming a key enforcer for the Islanders, his hockey talent at the youth level went unseen.
The winger, who grew up in Windsor, Ontario, failed to make the Windsor Jr. Spitfires AAA roster and played AA hockey for the Lasalle Sabres. Martin was determined to become a professional hockey player, and in 2006, he tried out with the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League.
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Martin not only made the team but eventually became captain and shared a line with Stanley Cup champion Steven Stamkos. Martin briefly returned home in 2017 after establishing himself as a key player for the Islanders. He became an unrestricted free agent and signed a four-year, $10 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While Martin was able to play for the Leafs in his home province, the move didn’t go as planned, and he was traded back to the Islanders two years later. Martin ended up playing 987 games over 15 NHL seasons, scoring 178 regular-season points (81 goals, 97 assists) and 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 88 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Martin held the NHL record for most hits in a season until Jeremy Lauzon broke it in 2024. Martin was highly emotional when lacing up for his final home game last season, as he knew his playing career was ending.
Alex Ovechkin congratulated Martin in his final home game(Image: ©Icon Sportswire (A Division of XML Team Solutions) All Rights Reserved)
“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.
“I obviously don’t know what the future holds. But you know, through the good and the bad and the heartbreaks and all of it, it’s always been a pleasure to be a part of this team and wear this uniform.”
Islanders head coach Patrick Roy added: “If it’s his last game at least, it’ll be a great moment for him. Whatever happens after those two games with whatever decisions he’s going to make, at least we know we’ve done things the right way.”
“What he’s meant to this organization his entire career, you can’t put it into words,” Longtime linemate and close friend Casey Cizikas said. “He’s given this team, he’s given the fans, he’s given the organization, everything he’s had, everything he’s got his entire career, game in and game out.”