Jacques Martin to Take His Rightful Place in Ottawa Senators Ring of Honour
The Ottawa Senators organization is set to bestow a significant honor upon one of its most influential figures. Jacques Martin, the winningest coach in franchise history, will be inducted into the team's Ring of Honour in a special ceremony at the Canadian Tire Centre.
A Legacy of Leadership and Structure
Martin's coaching tenure with the Senators spanned two distinct periods, beginning with an eight-year stretch from 1996 to 2004 and including an interim coaching role during the 2023-24 season. Throughout his 748 games behind the Ottawa bench, Martin compiled an impressive record of 367 wins, 261 losses, 96 ties, and 24 overtime losses.
Daniel Alfredsson, former Senators captain and current assistant coach, highlighted Martin's coaching philosophy. "Structure in everything he did," Alfredsson explained. "He's an extremely organized person who really used video as a good coaching tool. He had a system that he believed in, and the way he was able to get all of us to buy in helped to change the direction of the franchise."
Joining Distinguished Company
Martin will become just the fourth individual to receive this prestigious honor, joining:
- The late Bryan Murray
- Defenceman Wade Redden
- Longtime team doctor Don Chow
The ceremony will take place before the Senators host the Carolina Hurricanes, marking thirty years since Martin first took the helm of the Ottawa franchise.
Respect from Players and Peers
Former players who worked under Martin's guidance continue to express profound respect for his coaching methods. Shawn McEachern, who played for Martin and now coaches at Suffolk University, called him "the best coach I've ever had."
"He was a teacher before he started coaching and he always had a game plan to deal with people," McEachern recalled. "It was never personal. He would always say, 'I really like you guys, but I make decisions based on hockey.' He was always very pleasant and nice, but he was always very professional."
Influencing Future Generations
Martin's impact extends beyond his direct coaching achievements. McEachern has incorporated many of Martin's approaches into his own coaching philosophy, including monthly meetings to discuss both on-ice and off-ice matters. The native of St. Pascal, Ontario, who now serves as a senior advisor to the Senators, coached numerous notable players during his tenure, including:
- Daniel Alfredsson
- Marian Hossa
- Zdeno Chara
- Martin Havlat
- Alexei Yashin
- Patrick Lalime
Despite his preference for avoiding the spotlight throughout his NHL career, Jacques Martin will rightfully receive recognition for his substantial contributions to the Ottawa Senators organization. His induction into the Ring of Honour represents a well-deserved acknowledgment of his lasting impact on the franchise and the sport of hockey in Canada's capital.
