Former NHL forward Matt Martin has been inducted into the Sarnia Sting Hall of Fame, with the ceremony held prior to the team’s home game Friday night at Progressive Auto Sales Arena.
Martin was honoured on the ice alongside his wife, Sydney, and daughters, Ali and Winnie. A tribute video featuring messages from former teammates, including Steven Stamkos, Jakob Chychrun, Connor Murphy and Tony DeAngelo, was shown before the game. The evening also included a ceremonial puck drop with Martin and his family.
The Windsor native played three seasons with the Sting from 2006 to 2009 after earning a roster spot as an undrafted free agent out of training camp. He later served as team captain during the 2008 to 2009 season. In 166 regular season games with Sarnia, Martin recorded 63 goals and 46 assists for 109 points.
“My three years here in Sarnia were some of the greatest moments of my playing career,” Martin said during pregame remarks. “It’s where I took off as a hockey player. A lot of it thankfully because Steven Stamkos was here and the scouts were in the building every night, but I’m appreciative of the community and it means so much to me to be a member of this hall of fame.”
Martin was selected by the New York Islanders in the fifth round, 148th overall, in the 2008 NHL Draft. After one full season in the American Hockey League, he became a full time NHL player in the 2010 to 2011 season. Over a 16 year NHL career with the Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs, he played 987 regular season games, recording 81 goals and 97 assists, along with 1,168 penalty minutes.
He announced his retirement from professional hockey on June 24, 2025 and now serves as a special assistant to the general manager with the Islanders.
“Sarnia is the place that my career kind of took off really,” Martin said. “I wouldn’t have had the career that I had if it wasn’t for this organization and this community and the fans. I’m forever grateful for this place.”
A commemorative plaque recognizing Martin’s career has been installed inside the Sting Hall of Fame at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Other members of the hall include Rob Ciccarelli, Andy Delmore, Aaron Brand, Trevor Letowski, Patrick DesRochers, Jon Sim and Jeff Heerema.
