The Ottawa Senators will bestow a long-awaited honour on the man who steered the team through its most successful era to date. Jacques Martin, the winningest head coach in franchise history, will be inducted into the club's Ring of Honour in a special ceremony later this season.
A Ceremony Three Decades in the Making
The team confirmed the news on Thursday, announcing that the induction will take place on January 24 at the Canadian Tire Centre, prior to the Senators' game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The date is profoundly symbolic, marking exactly 30 years since Martin left his role as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche to take over the helm in Ottawa.
He assumed control after a difficult period under Dave Allison and proceeded to build the foundation of a competitive team. Martin, now 73 and serving as a senior advisor to the club, spent eight full seasons behind the bench from 1996 to 2004, and returned for a second stint as interim head coach at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Legacy of a Franchise Leader
Martin's statistical record with the Senators cements his place in team lore. He coached 748 games for the franchise, compiling a record of 367 wins, 261 losses, 96 ties, and 24 overtime losses. This tenure makes him the undeniable leader in games coached and victories for the organization.
The decision to honour him was made during the summer by the Senators' new player-honouring committee. The announcement was delivered to Martin in a heartfelt video message from former captain and current assistant coach Daniel Alfredsson.
Credit to the Players
In response to the honour, the ever-humble Martin shifted the focus to the men he coached. "I have been privileged to coach outstanding players and not only great players, but great people," Martin said. "And that was the reason I was able to get there."
This induction will see Martin become just the fourth member of the Senators organization installed in the Ring of Honour. He joins the late general manager Bryan Murray, star defenceman Wade Redden, and longtime team dentist Dr. Donald Chow.
The ceremony on January 24 promises to be a nostalgic night for Senators fans, officially recognizing the coach who guided the team from its early struggles to perennial playoff contention and enduring respectability in the National Hockey League.
