Martin announces retirement after 14 NHL seasons, never missed playoffs

Paul Martin
announced his retirement from hockey Wednesday.

The 37-year-old defenseman played 870 NHL games over 14 seasons for the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks.
His team made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his 14 seasons.
"There's no doubt, I'll miss hockey," Martin told The Athletic. "You'll always miss it because you'll never get that feeling back of being able to do something you love in front of people. I love the game and I think it will always be a part of me. And I'll be part of it again, maybe with kids and some youth programs. ... I'll see what I can do to help them out. That'd be fun, I think."
Martin played 14 games for the Sharks last season. The announcement was made by the University of Minnesota, where Martin played collegiately.
"Oh my God, he was the best," Sharks teammate Alex Stalock told the website. "If you have 20 Paul Martins in your locker room, I think you're doing something right. He was truly special. He's loved in every locker room."
A second-round pick (No. 62) by New Jersey in the 2000 NHL Draft, Martin made his NHL debut Oct. 8, 2003. He had his NHL career high of 37 points (five goals, 32 assists) in 2005-06 for the Devils.
"Great, great professional. Probably one of those most generous and down to earth people you'll ever meet," Devils teammate Zach Parise said. "Such a good, good guy."

Martin joined the Devils one season after they won the 2003 Stanley Cup and left two seasons prior to them reaching the Cup Final in 2012. Martin played five seasons for the Penguins, who won the Cup the two seasons after he left.
Martin reached the Stanley Cup Final with the Sharks in 2016, when they lost to the Penguins.
"When he came to San Jose, we'd just come off missing the playoffs. It was a tough couple of years of really getting momentum going, and he helped really strengthen the locker room back up," Sharks captain Joe Pavelski said. "Just from the type of person he is. Put everything aside from the great player and pro he is, but he's just such a solid guy. Helps everyone out around him, wants to take care of the guys around him first. He showed up every day, worked and always got the job done. You never had to worry about Paul Martin, and as a teammate, that's always a great thing."
Martin had 320 points (50 goals, 270 assists) and was plus-126 in 870 NHL games. He had a minus rating in two of his 14 seasons.
Martin had 46 points (six goals, 40 points) in 122 playoff games.
Sharks defenseman Brent Burns won the Norris trophy in 2016-17 with Martin as his primary partner.
"He was the mainstay I could lean on," Burns said. "Paulie was such a calming influence and just a knowledgeable guy. I think he was great on and off the ice for me, and I can't say enough about it."