Islanders F Matt Martin retires after 16 seasons, joins front office

Field Level Media|published: 06/24/2025, 6:57pm EDT

Dec 3, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin (17) looks on during warm-up before the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Forward Matt Martin, who spent all but two of his 16 NHL seasons with the New York Islanders, retired on Tuesday and was named a special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche.

Martin, 36, had two assists and 82 hits in 32 games last season for the Islanders, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2008 NHL Draft. He played a brief two-year stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs (2016-18) between his years in New York.

For his career, Martin recorded 178 points (81 goals, 97 assists), 1,168 penalty minutes and 3,931 hits in 987 regular-season games. He also had 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 88 playoff games.

Martin led the league in hits for five consecutive seasons (2011-16) and is second in NHL history in that category behind former teammate Cal Clutterbuck (4,029).

The Islanders, who went 35-35-12 (82 points) and missed the playoffs last season, have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, which starts on Friday.

--Field Level Media