"I had to get my hair cut" — Matt Martin speaks out on Isles' controversial rules

By Cole Shelton

Modified Aug 28, 2024 14:17 GMT

Former New York Islanders forward Matt Martin has opened up on one of the team's controversial rules. Lou Lamoriello has had a rule that no player can have facial hair or long hair since he became Islanders general manager in 1987.

Although Lamoriello has had the rule for years, it came into the news when Anthony Duclair had to cut off his dreadlocks ahead of the season. Many NHL analysts thought it was too far, but Martin says every NHL player knows the rule.

Martin played eight years for Lamoriello between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders, and when he signed with Toronto, he knew that meant he would have to cut his hair.

"You know the policy before signing. I mean, it's no secret," Martin told The Hockey News. "I had long hair. I signed in Toronto. I knew I had to get my hair cut."

Although some fans and analysts don't like the rule, Martin says he is fine with it. He even has talked to Lamoriello about the rule, and says it was for a good reason so he had no issue cutting his hair.

"I've been with Lou a long time. He expects things done a certain way. He has reasons for why he wants those things done," Martin said. "So if you go up to his office and ask him why, he has a reason for why he believes in it. It's not just to show dominance. He has his reasons as to why we do everything we do.

"Whether you agree with it or not, you respect it because he puts a lot of time and effort into building a winning culture. He always has. So, every single guy falls in line. It's all about the team."

Martin just completed a four-year, $6 million deal with the Islanders. Last season, he played 57 games, recording four goals and four assists for eight points.

Matt Martin heaps praise on Lou Lamoriello

Although Lou Lamoriello is getting a bad rap for his rule of making players cleanly shaven, Martin has a ton of respect for Lamoriello.

Martin spent eight years of his career with Lamoriello, and he says the GM is solely focused on getting the team to be on the same page and being the best it can be.

The gritty forward also says Lamoriello has become family to him and he would talk to him about life and not just hockey.

"He is one of the first calls I would make if I ever really needed something," Martin said. "He certainly deserves more positive press than he's getting."

Martin has skated in 955 NHL games, recording 81 goals and 95 assists for 176 points. The forward does not have a contract for the 2024-25 NHL season.