Jacques Martin Day Proclaimed in Ottawa as Former Senators Coach Receives Dual Honors
The city of Ottawa celebrated one of its hockey legends on Saturday as former Ottawa Senators head coach Jacques Martin received both a civic proclamation and induction into the franchise's Ring of Honour. The dual recognition came exactly 30 years after Martin made his debut behind the Senators' bench on January 24, 1996.
Civic Recognition from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe officially declared Saturday as "Jacques Martin Day" in Ottawa during a special presentation at the Canadian Tire Centre. The mayor emphasized Martin's deep connections to the region and his significant contributions to the city's sports history.
"He's a big part of our city's history, and he's from the Ottawa area," Sutcliffe stated. "He's a proud Franco-Ontarian. He's still the franchise leader in games coached and games won. Some of the greatest memories I have as a Senators fan are with him behind the bench."
The 73-year-old Martin, who grew up in nearby St-Pascal, received the well-deserved recognition during a morning ceremony. Sutcliffe noted the appropriateness of honoring someone who has maintained strong ties to the community throughout his career.
Ring of Honour Induction
Before the Senators faced the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Martin was formally inducted into the team's Ring of Honour. This prestigious recognition places him alongside other franchise legends including the late Bryan Murray, former defenceman Wade Redden, and Dr. Don Chow.
Martin's coaching tenure with Ottawa spanned eight years from 1996 to 2004, with an additional interim head coaching stint at the end of the 2023-24 season. During his time with the Senators, he coached 748 games and compiled an impressive 367-261-96-24 overall record.
A Full-Circle Moment
The ceremony represented a meaningful full-circle moment for Martin, who now serves as a senior advisor with the organization. Reflecting on his career, Martin expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with numerous talented individuals.
"I've been very fortunate in my association with the Senators, and I have to thank a lot of people — management, players and scouts," Martin said during the ceremony.
He particularly highlighted his appreciation for developing young talent during his coaching years, mentioning players like Mike Fisher, Wade Redden, Chris Phillips, Radek Bonk, Marian Hossa, and Martin Havlat who grew into key performers for the franchise.
"It was a tremendous honour to coach these young men and be part of an organization that understood the team concept," Martin added.
Community Impact and Legacy
Mayor Sutcliffe emphasized the significance of Martin's return to the Ottawa community at this stage of his career. "It's special. He's from here, and he got to spend a huge chunk of his career here, and then, at the end of his career, he gets to come back home and be part of the community and be part of this franchise at an exciting and interesting time," the mayor noted.
The ceremony featured oversized images from Martin's coaching days as he addressed media and supporters. Martin also reflected on working with notable hockey figures including the late Roger Neilson, former assistants Perry Pearn and Mike Murphy, and former captain Daniel Alfredsson in both player and coaching capacities.
This dual recognition serves as a testament to Martin's enduring impact on Ottawa's hockey community and his lasting legacy with the Senators franchise.
