The Matt Martin Hockey Academy began in 2015 and has grown into a Long Island summer fixture. More than 200 kids attended the week-long program at Northwell Health Ice Center, working on skating, stickhandling and playing mini-games. Martin and a roster of current and former Islanders — including Casey Cizikas, Josh Bailey, Cal Clutterbuck, Bo Horvat, Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock — led drills, taught skills and signed autographs. Martin retired after 15 NHL seasons and now serves as Special Assistant to GM Mathieu Darche while raising his family on Long Island. Proceeds from the academy benefit causes such as the NYPD Widow and Children's Fund and the Boomer Esiason Foundation.
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.
"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."
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