Although the New York Islanders trounced the Toronto Maple Leafs, the return of Matt Martin reminded all fans what he left with.
The New York Islanders put forth a full 60 minute effort during last night’s 5-1 win. It was longtime Islander Matt Martin‘s first Brooklyn homecoming, and it was emotional night for him and fans alike.
An Islander At Heart
Matt Martin has spent seven seasons on Long Island with the Isles. In that time, he established himself as an enforcer to be feared for his league-leading hitting for six straight seasons thus far. He has established himself as the player that others look out for when he is on the ice.
But it’s not just his on-ice antics that have gotten him notoriety among fans, but his charities as well. The Matt Martin foundation was founded in August of 2015 and aims to give back to the Long Island community that impacted Matt Martin as a player and human being.
Some of the causes that he gives back to include the Boomer Esiason Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis, the Association for Children with Down Syndrome, the NYPD Widows and Children’s Fund, and the Islanders Children’s Foundation.
Martin On Return to Long Island
“Some guys might want their old teams to fail, I guess. I’m not that way. These guys are all my friends still. I want to see them succeed in the worst way. If the Leafs can’t win the Stanley Cup, then I want the Islanders to win it. Heck, if we’re out, I’d probably be in the stands at Barclays in a Casey Cizikas jersey. I made Long Island my home.”
Clearly there are no hard feelings between Martin and the Islanders, according to Newsday’s Arthur Staple. It’s clear fans feel the same way after Martin received a tremendous tribute at the Barclays Center Sunday night.
Despite the fact that he signed with Toronto, Matt Martin has made it abundantly clear he is still very much a New York Islander. Moreso, he is a part of Long Island.