Matt Martin Announces Retirement
On Tuesday, veteran NHL player Matt Martin made headlines by announcing his retirement after a successful 16-year career, predominantly spent with the New York Islanders.
End of an Era
This decision marks the end of an era—leaving the league with just four remaining players who take to the ice without the protective gear of a visor.
Among those still playing visor-less are fellow athletes Ryan O’Reilly, Jamie Benn, Zach Bogosian, and Ryan Reaves. Martin had been one of only five players left in the NHL to forgo a visor, a choice he made to suit the physical style of his play. This decision aligns with a longstanding tradition for players in similar roles, especially during the early years of his career when visors were not mandated.
NHL Visor Regulations
The NHL enforced a rule in 2013 stipulating that all newcomers must wear visors, while grandfathering in existing players like Martin. The significance of his retirement goes beyond his playing days; he has accepted a new role as a special assistant to Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche.
Martin’s Reflections
Reflecting on the potential for a visor-wearing future, Martin acknowledged during a November 2023 interview that transitioning back to wearing one would be a considerable shift for him. He stated:
“If they mandated it, I would’ve worn it. I took it off because of the role I play, and at that time, everyone in that role wasn’t wearing it. I got used to that, so I never changed.”
Legacy
Martin’s absence from the ice reduces the number of players who share his visor-less status, a rarity in today’s game. The last NHL player known to play without a helmet was Craig MacTavish, who retired in 1997. As for Martin’s legacy, he identified Benn and O’Reilly as likely candidates to soon inherit the title of the last visor-less players in the league after his departure.
