A lifelong ice hockey player, Floyd “Butch” Martin began his senior career as a defenseman in 1948 with the Guelph Biltmores of the Ontario Hockey Association, after a two year junior career with the Waterloo Siskins and the Biltmores. The following season he suited up with the Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen, but his Mennonite upbringing conflicted with the necessity to play games on Sunday and he quit the team in 1950, in addition to cancelling a contract with the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers. Half a decade later he resumed his career with the Elmira Polar Kings, but was called back to the Dutchmen in 1956 and was sent with them to represent Canada at that year’s Winter Olympic ice hockey tournament. He scored two goals in eight games at the event and took home a bronze medal. He remained with the team through 1959 and attended a second Olympic ice hockey tournament in 1960, when the Dutchmen were once again selected as delegates from Canada. At this event he played in seven matches, scored six goals, and brought back a silver medal for his country. He followed this up with a successful career in the Eastern Hockey League with the Johnstown Jets from 1961 through 1964 and also played two games with the Pittsburgh Hornets of the American Hockey League during this time. He had a brief international career as well, touring Russia and Sweden with the Chatham Maroons in 1961 and making a brief appearance with the Windsor Bulldogs of the International Hockey League during the 1963-1964 season.
Martin had a coaching career for several years as well, as a player/coach with the Jets for the 1962-1963 season, a head coach with the Kitchener Rangers in 1964-1965 and, finally, as a player/coach with the Guelph Mercurys in 1967-1968, after a three-year playing hiatus. After retiring from hockey he found work as a luxury automobile salesman, a job that he has continued into his 80s. He also kept playing hockey, until his 70s, and remains athletically active by golfing. He is a member of the Waterloo County Hall of Fame.
Canada