Martin Biron

Lore & Background

Biron began his junior career with the Beauport Harfangs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres on December 26, 1995, as an emergency call-up after the team's top three goaltenders were injured, becoming the fourth-youngest goaltender to start a game in NHL history.

After a brief stint, he was sent back to the QMJHL for further development. Biron became the Sabres' starting goaltender after Dominik Hašek's departure in 2001 and held the position until the 2004–05 NHL lockout. He won his 13th consecutive game on December 17, 2005, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the first goalie with 13 straight wins since Chris Osgood in 1995–96.

After losing the starting job to Ryan Miller, Biron requested a trade and was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers on February 27, 2007, for a second-round draft pick. He signed a two-year, $7 million contract extension and led the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On July 22, 2009, Biron signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the New York Islanders, joining goaltenders Dwayne Roloson and Rick DiPietro. In 29 appearances, he recorded nine wins, 14 losses and four overtime losses, with a 3.27 goals against average and .896 save percentage. The Islanders did not qualify for the post-season.

Biron signed a two-year, $1.75 million deal with the New York Rangers on July 1, 2010, to back up Henrik Lundqvist. He fractured his collarbone during practice on February 28, 2011, and missed the remainder of the season.

He re-signed with the Rangers on June 29, 2012, for two years at $2.6 million. After a poor start to the 2013–14 season, the Rangers placed him on waivers on October 14, 2013, and he was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. Biron announced his retirement via social media on October 20, 2013, choosing retirement over playing in the minor leagues.

Reader's Guide

Martin Biron's tenure with the New York Islanders was brief but notable as part of his career spanning all three New York NHL teams. Signed as a free agent on July 22, 2009, to a one-year, $1.4 million contract, he joined a goaltending corps that included Dwayne Roloson and Rick DiPietro. In 29 appearances during the 2009–10 season, Biron posted nine wins, 14 losses and four overtime losses, with a 3.27 goals against average and .896 save percentage. The Islanders did not qualify for the post-season that year.

After his playing career, Biron did studio work for the New York Islanders, contributing to the organization in a broadcast capacity. His time with the Islanders represents one of the stops in a 16-year NHL career that saw him play for four teams, and he is one of only six players in NHL history to have played for all three New York-based teams. Biron's overall NHL career ended with a 230–191–25–27 record, a 2.62 goals against average, and a .910 save percentage.

Did You Know?

• He wore jersey number 00 before the NHL created the 'Biron rule' restricting jersey numbers to whole numbers between 1 and 99.
• He received United States citizenship on February 21, 2017.