Jacques Martin Inducted into Senators’ Ring of Honour This Weekend

On March 15, 2024, former Ottawa Senators coach Jacques Martin will be inducted into the club’s Ring of Honour at the Canadian Tire Centre. This ceremony comes thirty years after his debut as head coach of the Senators, making him the fourth individual honored in this prestigious group. The event will take place before the Senators face off against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Martin, now 73, holds the record as the winningest coach in franchise history. Over his two tenures with the Senators, which spanned from 1996 to 2004 and briefly at the end of the 2023-24 season, he coached a total of 748 games and maintained a record of 367-261-96-24. Following his coaching career, he transitioned into a senior advisor role within the organization.

Joining Martin in the Ring of Honour are notable figures such as the late Bryan Murray, defenceman Wade Redden, and longtime team doctor Don Chow. These inductees have made significant contributions to the franchise, and Martin’s recognition has been regarded as long overdue.

Former Senators’ captain Daniel Alfredsson, who now serves as an assistant coach, praised Martin’s coaching style. “He had a system that he believed in and a structure in everything he did,” Alfredsson explained. “He was an extremely organized person and effectively utilized video as a coaching tool, which helped to change the direction of the franchise.”

During his time with the Senators, Martin worked with numerous talented players, including Marian Hossa, Zdeno Chara, Martin Havlat, Alexei Yashin, and Patrick Lalime. His impact on these players has left a lasting impression. Former Senators winger Shawn McEachern reflected on Martin’s approach, describing him as a teacher who always had a game plan. “It was never personal. He would always say, ‘I really like you guys, but I make decisions based on hockey,’” McEachern stated.

McEachern, now the head coach of the men’s hockey team at Suffolk University, noted that he has implemented some of Martin’s coaching methods in his own career. He recalled the monthly meetings with Martin, which were uncommon at the time. “He was never emotional. He wouldn’t go crazy on anybody. We used to meet with Jacques once a month, just a check-in, which wasn’t normal back then,” McEachern said. “That was the first time I’d ever done something like that.”

During the 2024-25 campaign, Alfredsson had the opportunity to work alongside Martin when he took over the coaching duties after the firing of D.J. Smith. Alfredsson observed that Martin had evolved as a coach since leaving Ottawa, particularly in his offensive strategies and preparation techniques. “He doesn’t leave anything to chance, and our schedule was always the same,” Alfredsson explained. “You didn’t have to worry about what each day was going to look like. He was just very organized.”

The upcoming induction ceremony holds special significance for Alfredsson. “It will be really special to be part of it,” he said. “We had such a long stretch together and went from being the worst team in the league to making the playoffs every year he was there. We won a lot of games together, and to share that with him, not only as a player but working with him as a coach as well, I really respect him. I admire him. I’m super happy for him to get this recognition.”

As fans and players gather to honor Jacques Martin, the event promises to celebrate not just his coaching achievements but also the lasting impact he has had on the Ottawa Senators organization.