Matt Martin Hockey Academy wraps up another special week for NY Islanders fans

The Matt Martin Hockey Academy has grown into as much of a fixture of Long Island summers as the man himself. What began in 2015 as an idea from a young Islander looking to give back has turned into a week-long celebration of hockey, kids, and community one that mirrors Martin’s own journey from rugged fourth-liner to beloved New York Islanders franchise figure.

More than 200 kids who spent the week at Northwell Health Ice Center working on skating, stickhandling, and playing mini-games under the guidance of Martin and a star-studded cast of Islanders past and present. Casey Cizikas, Josh Bailey, Cal Clutterbuck, Bo Horvat, Kyle Palmieri, and Ryan Pulock all joined in, teaching skills and signing autographs, giving the young campers memories they’ll never forget.

For Martin, who retired this summer after 15 NHL seasons, the camp is about more than just hockey drills. “We really enjoy doing it, it’s something I have a lot of fun with every year,” Martin said via NewYorkIslanders.com. “All the fans and people that come seem to really enjoy it and a lot of them continue to come back, that’s all you can ask for.”

Now raising his family on Long Island and beginning his new role as Special Assistant to GM Mathieu Darche, Martin has cemented himself in the community both on and off the ice. “Long Island is a special place for me, it’s where I call home now,” he said. “The community has been so good to me over the years, and it’s a pretty special thing to give back.”

Proceeds from the Academy benefit causes close to Martin’s heart, including the NYPD Widow and Children’s Fund, the Boomer Esiason Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis, ACDS, and the Islanders Children’s Foundation. As Cizikas summed it up: “The things that he does for the community… it’s who he is and it’s who he’s always been.”