Ex-Blade Martin Signs With Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed former Blenheim Blades forward Matt Martin to a 4-year, $10 million contract as NHL free agency opened this weekend.

Martin, who has played 6 NHL seasons with the New York Islanders, has led the NHL in hits for five straight seasons.

“His size and strength, and we feel his skating is very good,” said Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello when describing what the Maple Leafs liked about Martin’s game in a team release. “I’ve had the good experience to play against him for a good number of years where I came from, so I’ve seen him a period of time. And our staff liked him, our coaching staff liked him, and that’s the most important thing.”

The 6’3″ Windsor product had 10 goals and 19 points in 80 games with New York last season.

Martin played for the Great Lakes Junior C Hockey League’s Blenheim Blades in 2005-2006 when he scored 11 goals and 23 points and 102 penalty minutes in 40 games.