EAST MEADOW - Matt Martin returned to the New York Islanders via trade on Tuesday, but in some ways, he never really left Long Island.
Martin, who played seven seasons with the Islanders from 2009-16, kept a Long Island address as his offseason home after he left for Toronto via free agency two years ago. He continued to operate his charity, the Matt Martin Foundation, on Long Island to benefit local causes and just wrapped up his fourth youth hockey camp at Northwell Health Ice Center, the Islanders' practice facility, last week.
After proposing to longtime girlfriend Sydney Esiason, a Long Island native, Martin appeared destined to be back on the Island at some point in his life.
Martin Ecstatic to Return to Islanders
Physical forward and fan favorite played with Islanders from 2009-16
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