Of all the current Islanders, Matt Martin’s full embrace of Long Island is unmatched. He spends his offseasons here and his Matt Martin Foundation has supported numerous local efforts, like training rescue dogs for New York-area veterans and supporting the widows and children of New York Police and Fire Departments.
Two weeks ago, Martin was able to hold his annual hockey camp, a pretty exciting week of on- and off-ice activities at Northwell Health Ice Center that includes dek hockey games with Martin and some of his Islander teammates plus plenty of work on the two ice sheets at the Isles’ practice facility. We caught up with Martin during the camp to see how that and his offseason has gone.
How much are you enjoying being back in a rink with kids from Long Island?
Last year was the first time we missed it in a few years, and that was tough. We’re still not doing any of our foundation events, like the poker tournament, the bowling night. We’re trying to be as COVID-conscious as we can. And obviously, the kids missed being here too, I think — we had 168 kids this week, which is more than 2019. There was even some question of whether I’d be allowed to be here, which is something we emailed all the parents about. We didn’t know how much I could take part, how much my teammates could take part, which is always the best part of the week.
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The kids have been great all week, I think everyone’s happy to be out of the house. Hopefully, we can get back to doing it every year.
How do you keep a foundation running without events?
We were looking at having a golf event prior to COVID happening, trying to expand and now everything’s just come to a halt. We haven’t raised any money in the last year and a half now. That’s been tough. We get a lot of questions from people about the poker event — we’ve always held it close to the start of the season and pretty much all my teammates turn out for it. Now, we just can’t have that kind of risk, of course. So we have to look at some other ways to raise money for the causes the foundation supports. We’ve discussed an online auction, something like that.
You’re such a fixture on the Island, interacting with fans and people in general. Did the last two playoff runs just hit a little different because of all the restrictions?
The bubble was definitely weird. When we landed back on the Island though, with all the fans lining the fence at the airport, that was incredible. We’ll never forget that. Especially after spending close to two months with no one around. Last year felt a lot more normal in the playoffs. The tailgates and even after the game, all the fans hanging around. It was as special an experience as I’ve had in this league. Being at the Coliseum one last time, going to the conference finals, the fans going nuts, waving flags on top of their cars long after the game — it was amazing.
After the last two seasons, do you feel this team is a consistent Stanley Cup threat?
I do. The Islanders are obviously among the smaller market teams, but Lou (Lamoriello) and Trotzy (Barry Trotz), the players, ownership, everyone’s dialed it in the last few years and made this team a contender and one that will continue to contend. Plus we’ve got the new building on the way. I think once people get here and you see everything the Island has to offer — beaches, restaurants, golf courses, the way of life around here — people tend to love it. I think it’s a great place to play hockey. And more and more people are realizing that. Most of that is a result of our success. The more we win, the more people will want to come and be a part of it. It starts at the top with Lou and Trotzy, and we play our part too. The foundation of this team is very strong and it’s going to continue to be a place people want to be.
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You hear people say, “You have to learn how to win.” Last year you finished fourth but again found a different level in the playoffs. Is that old saying true?
The game is different in the playoffs. You hear guys say, “That team’s built for the playoffs.” Power plays go down a bit, we’re a good defensive group, we have a veteran group. You end up with a game that’s played the way we like to play it and a lot of experienced guys who understand what it takes that time of year. We still haven’t gotten over that hump of the Lightning, but you look at what they went through prior to their breakthrough the last two years. They had some tough losses in the playoffs. The failure is just part of the process. You build on it. I believe our time’s coming here.
Is there any satisfaction at all from taking a team to the limit two years in a row and then seeing them basically cruise to a Cup right after?
It still sucks because you didn’t win. People say that to me all the time. “You gave them the toughest run!” They’re a great team, of course. They’ve figured it out and had a ton of success. We’re trying to get there. But it really sucks no matter what happens because you lost. Especially last year, you get to a Game 7, lose by one goal and then they win it in five games. That was the most disappointing feeling since I’ve been in this league.
Have the COVID protocols changed anything for you in the offseason?
There’s maybe not as many guys in town as there might be otherwise, but it’s always pretty quiet around here during the summer. The NHL has rules in place and we still get tested when we come to the rink, but it’s not even quite like it was at the beginning of last season, where once you were in the (practice facility) you weren’t going out to eat, seeing friends, things like that. I definitely saw the sun a lot more this summer. Taking (Martin’s daughter) Winnie out to see the world since she spent the first six months of her life indoors. It’s closer to back to normal but still cautious.
The guys that have been here skating came out with the kids for the camp, which is always a blast. They get a big kick out of seeing Barzy (Mathew Barzal), Palms (Kyle Palmieri) was out there with them. We’re getting our work in, same as always, but with the camp back we had some fun with the kids. That’s the best part of the week.
(Photos courtesy of Dennis DaSilva)