Neal Martin

Neal Martin (born September 8, 1975 in Sudbury, Ontario) is a Canadian retired ice hockey defenceman Career Martin began his Major Junior career with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL, having been selected in the 5th round, 79th overall, in the 1992 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Martin played sparingly in his first season with the Greyhounds, logging only 17 regular season games. The team had an extended run in the play-offs, before losing the finals to the Peterborough Petes. Nevertheless, they qualified as hosts for the 1993 Memorial Cup, which they subsequently won. He began the 1993-94 with the Greyhounds, before being traded midway through the season to home-town team Sudbury Wolves. Martin found more ice time in Sudbury, and as a result his scoring increased. During the 1994-95 season, he registered 36 points in 62 games, whilst the following season saw him register 49 points in 51 games. Following the culmination of the 1995-96 season, Martin turned professional. The Hampton Roads Admirals of the ECHL were Martin's first professional team, he played 54 games in the 1996-97 season, registering 22 points. In addition to his time in Norfolk, Martin also played a single game for both the AHL's Portland Pirates and the IHL's San Antonio Dragons. Martin remained in the ECHL for the following season, moving to the Mississippi Sea Wolves, where his production dipped slightly, tallying 14 points in 52 games as the Sea Wolves failed to make the playoffs. Following the season in Mississippi, Martin joined the Waco Wizards of the WPHL where he went on to have a career year, registering 54 points in 50 games. During the season he also had short stints with the Chicago Wolves and the Long Beach Ice Dogs, both of the IHL. After his success in Texas, Martin moved to the United Kingdom and signed with the London Knights of the BISL. It was a successful season, with Martin being named as a Second Team All-Star, and the Knights winning the British Championship. Martin re-signed with the Knights for the 2000-01 season. During his second season in the capital, Martin was named as an alternate captain, scored 25 points in 47 games, and was again named as a Second Team All-Star. Following his time in the United Kingdom, Martin moved to Germany in order to play for DEL side SERC Wild Wings. The Wild Wings finished last in the standings, and narrowly avoided relegation, despite this, Martin put up respectable numbers, scoring 25 points in 59 games.