Terry Martin

Terry Martin has had a long life in hockey, first as a player and then as a coach.

Martin was a strong junior player with the London Knights back in the 1970s. Using his speed and a good nose for the net, he starred on a line with future NHLers Dennis Maruk and Ron Zanussi.

The Buffalo Sabres would draft Martin 44th overall in 1975, but he struggled to stick with the Sabres full time through four seasons. A serious leg injury in 1977-78 cost him most of the season and really set him back. He seemed destined to be a journeyman player in Buffalo.

Martin briefly played with Quebec in 1979-80 before finding a home with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Over five seasons in Toronto Martin established himself as a nice complimentary player in all situations. He twice chipped in more than 20 goals.

Martin suffered a scary incident in the 1983-84 season. He, along with teammates Gary Nylund and Greg Terrion, contracted a serious case of food poisoning after eating at a deli in New York. Martin actually ended up intensive care and lost 15 pounds. He missed three weeks of hockey.

Martin briefly played with Edmonton and Minnesota late in his career. He finished with 104 goals and 205 points in 479 career NHL games.

After playing a couple more seasons in the minor leagues, Martin retired as a player in 1987. But he quickly stepped behind the bench and became a coach. He started in junior hockey with the Toronto Marlies before a long tenure as an assistant with AHL Rochester.

Martin returned to the NHL as Ted Nolan's assistant in Buffalo for the 1995-96 season. He was then reassigned as a pro scout for the Sabres for many years after that.