Matt Martin (ice hockey, born 1989)

Not to be confused with Matt Martin (ice hockey, born 1971).
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
Toronto Maple Leafs
New York Islanders
NHL Draft 148th overall, 2008
New York Islanders
Playing career 2009present

Matthew Martin (born May 8, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Martin previously played with the New York Islanders is known for his strong checking abilities, having led the league in hits delivered in every season since 2011; the only year Martin did not finish first was his rookie season of 2010–11, where he finished fourth league wide in recorded hits. Martin also holds the NHL record for most hits in a season.

Playing career

Amateur

Martin tried out for his local AAA team, the Windsor Jr. Spitfires, but was cut. 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 Steve 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, he 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 dollar contract, worth an average of $2.5 million a season.[6][5] Interestingly, Martin will be the second "Matt Martin" to have played for the Maple Leafs, behind Matt Martin.

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 32 8 11 19 78
2005–06 Blenheim Blades GLJHL 40 11 12 23 102
2006–07 Sarnia Blast GOJHL 9 2 5 7 16
2006–07 Sarnia Sting OHL 39 3 3 6 52 4 0 0 0 0
2007–08 Sarnia Sting OHL 66 25 13 38 155 9 3 3 6 16
2008–09 Sarnia Sting OHL 61 35 30 65 142 5 3 0 3 10
2009–10 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 76 12 19 31 113 5 1 2 3 4
2009–10 New York Islanders NHL 5 0 2 2 26
2010–11 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 7 1 2 3 11
2010–11 New York Islanders NHL 68 5 9 14 147
2011–12 New York Islanders NHL 80 7 7 14 121
2012–13 New York Islanders NHL 48 4 7 11 63 6 1 0 1 14
2013–14 New York Islanders NHL 79 8 6 14 90
2014–15 New York Islanders NHL 78 8 6 14 114 7 0 1 1 12
2015–16 New York Islanders NHL 80 10 9 19 119 11 0 0 0 12
NHL totals 438 42 46 88 680 24 1 1 2 38

References

  1. "Road to the Coliseum: Matt Martin". New York Islanders. 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2011-07-21.
  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.
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