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Martin Biron
Martin Biron
Martin Biron
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Martin Gaston Biron (/ˈbɪərɒn/;[1] born August 15, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender.

Key Information

Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round (16th overall) of the 1995 NHL entry draft, he spent the first half of his 16-year National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Sabres, later having stints with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New York Rangers. He is currently a television analyst with the Sabres on MSG Western New York.

His younger brother Mathieu played 250 games in the NHL as a defenceman.

Playing career

[edit]
Martin Biron in goal for Buffalo during the 2005–06 season

As a youth, Biron played in the 1991 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Charlesbourg, Quebec City.[2]

Biron started his junior ice hockey career on the Beauport Harfangs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres on December 26, 1995.[3] An emergency call-up with the Sabres' top three goaltenders all injured, Biron became the fourth-youngest goaltender to start a game in NHL history, surrendering four first-period goals in a 6–3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.[4] After posting a 5.04 goals against average (GAA) with no wins and two losses during his fill-in stint, he was sent back to the QMJHL to develop further. After the 2000–01 season, he was a consistent goaltender for the Sabres as his play in the crease improved drastically.[5]

Biron, along with Rob Ray and Dominik Hašek, was one of the three Sabres against whom, in three consecutive years, the NHL made a specific rule. After NHL statisticians discovered a bug in their new stat-tracking software, the "Biron rule" restricted jersey numbers to whole numbers between 1 and 99 (later limited to numbers between 1 and 98 after the league-wide retirement of number 99 for Wayne Gretzky). Biron was the only NHL player affected, as only he wore "00" at the time. (Goaltender John Davidson also wore 00 during his playing career, without rebuke, at various points between 1973 and 1983.) Upon his return to the NHL three seasons later, Biron switched to number 43, and wore that number until the end of his career.

Biron became the Sabres' starting goaltender after Hašek's departure from Buffalo in 2001 and held the position until the 2004–05 NHL lockout. Biron has always been a fan favorite in Buffalo and although he no longer plays there, he currently resides in the city and after his retirement has a position as director of goaltending at HarborCenter, which is owned and operated by the Sabres organization.[6]

Biron won his 13th consecutive game on December 17, 2005 against the Pittsburgh Penguins[1]. He was the first goalie with 13 straight wins since Chris Osgood accomplished the feat during the 1995-1996 season.

Biron with the Flyers during the 2008–09 NHL season.

After losing the number one goaltending job to emerging youngster Ryan Miller, Biron requested a trade from the Sabres on June 26, 2006, in an effort to receive more playing time. Finally, on February 27, 2007, the Sabres traded Biron to the Philadelphia Flyers for a second-round draft pick.[7]

On March 27, 2007, Biron signed a two-year, $7 million contract extension with the Flyers to be the starting goaltender in Philadelphia. After appearing in 62 games and recording 30 wins in the 2007–08 season, he led the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals, losing in five games to the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins. He appeared in 55 games for the Flyers in the 2008–09 season, winning 29 and helping the Flyers to the fifth-overall seed in the Eastern Conference.

Biron with the Islanders

On July 1, 2009, Biron entered free agency. He was soon left in a difficult position after the Flyers signed goaltenders Ray Emery and Brian Boucher, while other teams quickly filled up their goaltending roster needs. Biron soon signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the New York Islanders on July 22, 2009,[8] joining goaltenders Dwayne Roloson and Rick DiPietro. In 29 appearances, Biron 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.

On July 1, 2010, Biron signed a two-year, $1.75 million deal with the New York Rangers, where he prepared to back-up Swedish starter Henrik Lundqvist. Biron is one of six players in NHL history to skate for all three teams based in the state of New York. The others were Mike Donnelly, and former teammates Taylor Pyatt, Chad Johnson, Jason Dawe and Pat LaFontaine. Except for a 21⁄2-year stint with the Philadelphia Flyers, Biron played almost his entire career in the state of New York. On February 28, 2011, Biron fractured his collarbone during practice and was forced to miss the remainder of the 2010–11 season. While he played in the lowest number of games (17) since his second NHL season in 1998–99, he posted career highs in save percentage (.923) and goals against average (2.13).[9][needs update] On June 29, 2012 Biron re-signed with the Rangers in a one-way contract worth $2.6 million over two years, working out to an average of $1.3 million per year.[10]

On October 14, 2013, the Rangers placed Biron on waivers after a poor start to the season,[11] and the following day, he was assigned to play with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).[12] Biron announced his retirement via social media on October 20, 2013, choosing retirement over playing in the minor leagues.[13] He ended his career with a 230–191–25–27 record, 2.62 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.[14]

Post-playing career

[edit]

He currently works as a studio analyst with the Sabres and the Sabres Hockey Network on MSG Western New York. Previously, he was an analyst on the TSN panel along with James Duthie, Aaron Ward and Bob McKenzie, worked on NHL Network, and did studio work for the New York Islanders. He is also the director of goaltending at the Academy of Hockey at the Buffalo HarborCenter. Biron also stars on the popular Buffalo sports podcast, "Sabres Live", with Brian Duff.

On February 21, 2017, Biron received United States citizenship. He sought U.S. citizenship because he had married an American citizen and has resided with her and their four children in Buffalo for several years; but as he was not a U.S. citizen, he could not vote in American elections.[15]

Biron was inducted into the Rochester Americans Hall of Fame on February 16, 2018.[16]

Family

[edit]

Martin's son, Jacob, followed in his father's footsteps and became a goaltender. After playing junior hockey in Buffalo and Kemptville, he joined the program at Army for the fall of 2024.[17]

Awards

[edit]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T OTL MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1993–94 Abitibi-Témiscamingue QMAAA 23 14 8 1 — 1,412 80 1 3.40 — 2 1 1 112 7 0 3.73 —
1994–95 Beauport Harfangs QMJHL 56 29 16 9 — 3,193 132 3 2.48 .898 16 8 7 903 37 4 2.46 .904
1995–96 Beauport Harfangs QMJHL 55 29 17 7 — 3,207 150 1 2.84 .897 19 12 7 1,135 64 0 3.38 .888
1995–96 Buffalo Sabres NHL 3 0 2 0 — 119 10 0 5.04 .844 — — — — — — — —
1996–97 Beauport Harfangs QMJHL 18 6 10 1 — 935 62 1 3.98 .895 — — — — — — — —
1996–97 Hull Olympiques QMJHL 16 11 4 1 — 972 43 2 2.65 .915 6 3 1 326 19 0 3.50 .871
1997–98 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 2 0 1 1 — 86 3 0 2.09 .929 — — — — — — — —
1997–98 Rochester Americans AHL 41 14 18 6 — 2,312 113 5 2.93 .907 4 1 3 239 16 0 4.02 .885
1998–99 Buffalo Sabres NHL 6 1 2 1 — 281 10 0 2.14 .917 — — — — — — — —
1998–99 Rochester Americans AHL 52 36 13 3 — 3,129 108 6 2.07 .930 20 12 8 1,167 42 1 2.16 .934
1999–00 Rochester Americans AHL 6 6 0 0 — 344 12 1 2.09 .924 — — — — — — — —
1999–00 Buffalo Sabres NHL 41 19 18 2 — 2,229 90 5 2.42 .909 — — — — — — — —
2000–01 Rochester Americans AHL 4 3 1 0 — 239 4 1 1.00 .955 — — — — — — — —
2000–01 Buffalo Sabres NHL 18 7 7 1 — 918 39 2 2.55 .909 — — — — — — — —
2001–02 Buffalo Sabres NHL 72 31 28 10 — 4,085 151 4 2.22 .915 — — — — — — — —
2002–03 Buffalo Sabres NHL 54 17 28 6 — 3,170 135 4 2.56 .908 — — — — — — — —
2003–04 Buffalo Sabres NHL 52 26 18 5 — 2,972 125 2 2.52 .913 — — — — — — — —
2005–06 Buffalo Sabres NHL 35 21 8 — 3 1,934 93 1 2.88 .905 — — — — — — — —
2006–07 Buffalo Sabres NHL 19 12 4 — 1 1,066 54 0 3.04 .899 — — — — — — — —
2006–07 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 16 6 8 — 2 935 47 0 3.02 .908 — — — — — — — —
2007–08 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 62 30 20 — 9 3,539 153 5 2.59 .918 17 9 8 1,049 52 1 2.97 .904
2008–09 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 55 29 19 — 5 3,177 146 2 2.75 .915 6 2 4 375 16 1 2.56 .919
2009–10 New York Islanders NHL 29 9 14 — 4 1,634 89 1 3.27 .896 — — — — — — — —
2009–10 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 2 1 1 — 0 7 0 3.39 .903 — — — — — — — —
2010–11 New York Rangers NHL 17 8 6 — 0 928 33 0 2.13 .923 — — — — — — — —
2011–12 New York Rangers NHL 21 12 6 — 2 1,220 50 2 2.46 .904 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 New York Rangers NHL 6 2 2 — 1 336 13 0 2.32 .917 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 New York Rangers NHL 2 0 1 — 0 71 9 0 7.61 .763 — — — — — — — —
NHL totals 508 230 191 25 27 28,612 1247 28 2.62 .910 23 11 12 1,424 68 2 2.87 .908

International

[edit]
Year Team Event GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1997 Canada WJC 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.00 —
2003 Canada WC Selected, but did not play

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Martin Biron

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Martin Biron (born August 15, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1995 to 2014, appearing in 508 games with the Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New York Rangers, where he recorded 230 wins, 191 losses, 28 shutouts, a 2.61 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage. Drafted 16th overall by the Sabres in the first round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Biron made his league debut on December 26, 1995, as an emergency call-up amid injuries to Buffalo's top goaltenders. Following his retirement in October 2013, he transitioned into broadcasting, serving as a studio analyst for the Buffalo Sabres on MSG Network since 2017 and contributing analysis to TSN, RDS, BPM Sports, and NHL Radio. Biron began his professional career after being selected ninth overall by the Beauport Harfangs in the 1994 QMJHL Entry Draft, where he played three seasons before being traded to the Hull Olympiques, helping the team win the in 1997. In the (AHL), he earned the Baz Bastien Memorial Award as the league's top in 1998–99, along with leading the AHL in goals-against average (2.07) and appearing in the . With the Sabres, Biron solidified his role as a starter by the late 1990s, finishing in the top 10 for the as NHL Rookie of the Year in 1999–2000 and leading the league with 72 games played in 2001–02. Traded to the Flyers on February 27, 2007, he spent two full seasons and part of a third there as a key backup and occasional starter. He signed as a with the New York Islanders in July 2009 and was traded to the in February 2010, where he served primarily as a , including a brief stint as the Rangers' starter early in the 2010–11 season before an injury sidelined him. His final NHL appearance came with the Rangers in the 2013–14 season, after which he announced his retirement at age 36. Internationally, Biron represented at the 1997 World Junior Championships, playing one game and recording a . In addition to broadcasting, Biron briefly coached as an assistant with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres 18U AAA team in 2021–22.

Early Life and Junior Career

Early Life

Martin Biron was born on August 15, 1977, in Lac-Saint-Charles, a suburb north of , . Growing up in this hockey-centric region, Biron was immersed in the sport from a young age, with his family playing a pivotal role in fostering his passion. His parents made significant sacrifices to support his development, including his father taking extra construction shifts and his mother emphasizing the importance of education alongside athletics. Biron's younger brother, Mathieu, also pursued a hockey , playing over 250 NHL games as a defenseman, which further reinforced the family's deep ties to the game as they competed in the same minor leagues during their youth. Biron’s earliest hockey memories involved skating on a backyard frozen rink, where he would play until his toes froze solid, requiring a warm bath to thaw them—a testament to the harsh winters and his budding enthusiasm for the sport. At age 13, he gained early exposure on a larger stage by participating in the 1991 with a minor team from Charlesbourg, , an event that drew thousands of spectators and featured future NHL talents. This local experience as a young highlighted the excitement of competitive play in his home province. Biron’s decision to focus on goaltending was influenced by the , the team he supported growing up in the area. He drew particular inspiration from the club’s netminders, including Daniel Bouchard and Mario Gosselin, whose performances ignited his desire to play the position. Biron later recalled, “When I grew up—I grew up in so I was a big Nordiques fan. All the inspirations of that team and all the goalies of that era... Those are the people who got me wanting to play hockey.”

Junior Career

Martin Biron began his major junior career with the Beauport Harfangs of the Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) during the 1994–95 season, following a successful stint in midget AAA hockey. As a , he appeared in 56 games, posting a league-leading 2.48 goals-against average (GAA) and a .898 save percentage, while recording 29 wins, 16 losses, and 9 ties, along with 3 shutouts. His performance helped the Harfangs finish second in the West Division and advance to the QMJHL , where Biron played 16 games with a 2.47 GAA. Biron dominated the awards circuit that year, earning the Raymond Lagacé Trophy as the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Memorial Trophy as the league's top goaltender, and the Trophy as the best professional prospect. He was also named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team and the CHL First All-Star Team, and received the CHL Goaltender of the Year award for his outstanding play across leagues. These accolades highlighted his rapid development and poise under pressure, establishing him as one of the top goaltending prospects in junior hockey. His exceptional season culminated in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, where the selected him in the first round, 16th overall. Biron returned to the QMJHL for the 1995–96 season with the Harfangs, starting 55 games and achieving 29 wins, 17 losses, and 7 ties, with a 2.84 GAA, .897 save percentage, and 1 shutout. In 1996–97, he split time between the Harfangs (18 games, 6-10-1, 3.98 GAA) and the Hull Olympiques after a midseason trade (16 games, 11-4-1, 2.65 GAA), contributing to Hull's QMJHL championship win and Memorial Cup victory. These seasons solidified Biron's reputation as a reliable and high-achieving junior goaltender, paving the way for his professional transition.

Professional Career

Buffalo Sabres Era

Martin Biron began his professional career in the organization following his selection in the first round (16th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He spent his initial seasons developing in the (AHL) with the Sabres' affiliate, the , primarily from 1997 to 1999. During the 1997–98 season, Biron appeared in 41 games for Rochester, posting a 2.93 goals-against average (GAA). His performance peaked in 1998–99, when he played 52 games, achieved a 2.07 GAA, a .930 save percentage, and six shutouts, earning him the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding . He also shared the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award with teammate Tom Draper for the league's lowest team goals-against average that year. Biron made his NHL debut with the on December 26, 1995, as an 18-year-old emergency call-up against the , in a 6-3 loss where he allowed five goals on 25 shots. Biron's first NHL win came on March 5, 1999, in a 2-1 victory over the , making 26 saves. Over the next decade, Biron established himself as a key figure in Buffalo's goaltending tandem, serving as the primary starter from 1999 to 2005 before transitioning to a role amid the emergence of . In the 2005–06 season, following the , Biron delivered a standout performance with 21 wins in 35 games and a 2.88 GAA, highlighted by a 13-game from November 5 to December 19—the longest by any since 1996. The following year, 2006–07, he appeared in 19 games as the , going 12-4-1 with a 3.04 GAA before his departure. Across his 12 seasons with the Sabres from 1995 to 2007, Biron played 300 regular-season games, compiling a record of 134-115-29 with a 2.53 GAA and .910 save percentage. His tenure included franchise records for most games played (300) and wins (134) by a Sabres goaltender at the time of his departure. On February 27, 2007, ahead of the NHL trade deadline, Buffalo traded Biron to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft (used to select defenseman T.J. Brennan at No. 31 overall). The move allowed the Sabres to solidify their goaltending around Miller as they pursued a Stanley Cup run.

Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders

Biron was traded to the from the on February 27, 2007, in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. A month later, on March 27, 2007, he signed a two-year contract extension with the valued at $7 million, positioning him as the team's primary starting . In his first full season with Philadelphia during 2007–08, Biron appeared in 62 games, recording 30 wins with a 2.59 goals-against average (GAA) and .918 save percentage, helping the secure a playoff spot as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. As the starter in the , Biron backstopped the Flyers through an upset first-round victory over the top-seeded in seven games, followed by a five-game series win against the in the conference semifinals. advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, where they fell to the in five games; Biron posted a 9–8 record across 17 playoff appearances, with a 2.98 GAA and .904 save percentage. The following 2008–09 season saw Biron continue as the starter, playing 55 games with 29 wins, a 2.76 GAA, and .915 save percentage, though the Flyers were eliminated in the first round by . Following the expiration of his contract, Biron signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the as a on July 22, 2009, joining a crowded goaltending tandem that included and . During the 2009–10 season, he served primarily in a backup capacity, appearing in 29 games with a 9–14–4 record, 3.27 GAA, and .896 save percentage, as the Islanders struggled defensively and finished last in the Eastern Conference with 61 points, missing the . Biron's tenure with New York marked a transitional period amid the team's rebuilding efforts, before he entered free agency once more at season's end.

New York Rangers and Retirement

Biron signed with the as a on July 1, 2010, agreeing to a two-year, $1.75 million contract to back up starting . Over the next three seasons, he provided reliable support in a role, appearing in 46 regular-season games while helping the Rangers reach the each year, though he did not see postseason action. In his first season with the Rangers (2010–11), Biron posted an 8–6 record in 17 games, with a 2.13 (GAA) and .923 save percentage (SV%), contributing to New York's 44–33–5 finish and Eastern Conference quarterfinal appearance. The 2011–12 campaign saw him improve to 12–6–2 in 21 games, including two shutouts and a 2.46 GAA with .904 SV%, as the Rangers captured the Atlantic Division title and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. Biron re-signed with the team on June 29, , to a two-year extension worth $2.6 million. The 2012–13 season was abbreviated to 48 games due to a league lockout, during which Biron trained independently in rather than playing overseas. Upon resumption, he appeared in six games with a 2–2–1 record, 2.32 GAA, and .917 SV%. Injuries and competition limited his role in 2013–14 to just two games (0–1, 7.65 GAA, .763 SV%) before the Rangers placed him on waivers on October 13, . Biron announced his retirement on October 20, 2013, at age 36, concluding a 16-year NHL career that included stints with four teams. In 508 regular-season games, he recorded 230 wins, 191 losses, and 51 ties/OTL, with a 2.61 GAA, .910 SV%, and 28 shutouts.

International Career

IIHF World Championship

Martin Biron represented Team Canada at the , held from April 26 to May 11 in , , and , . Selected as one of three goaltenders alongside starter and backup , Biron accepted the third-string role without hesitation, noting his eagerness to contribute to the national team in any way possible. Biron did not appear in any games during the tournament. Biron helped Team Canada secure its first gold medal at the senior since 1997, defeating 3–2 in overtime in the final on May 11, 2003, with scoring the game-winning goal 14 minutes into the extra frame.

Other International Play

Biron participated in Team Canada's preparatory activities leading up to the , including travel to , , on for training and an against the host nation on April 23. As one of three goaltenders on the preliminary roster, he contributed to the team's pre-tournament preparations in Europe before the event began in , . Biron also represented at the 1997 IIHF World U20 Championship, where he played in one game, recording a in a 2–0 preliminary-round win over the on January 4, 1997. won gold at the tournament. Beyond major senior tournaments, Biron's international exposure was limited, with no participation in the Olympics or other all-star international events.

Post-Playing Career

Broadcasting Roles

Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2013, Martin Biron transitioned into broadcasting, leveraging his experience as a goaltender to provide insightful analysis. In August 2017, he joined the Buffalo Sabres broadcast team on MSG Western New York as a studio analyst, primarily working alongside host Brian Duff on pregame, intermission, and postgame segments. He also contributes as an in-game color analyst for select games, offering commentary on team strategies and goaltending performances. Biron expanded his media presence in 2014 by becoming a studio analyst for NHL Network, where he covered regular-season games, , and provided expert breakdowns of key moments, particularly focusing on netminding techniques. His role included appearances on NHL Network's signature programs, drawing on his 508 NHL games to discuss trends in positioning and puck handling. In addition to his primary roles, Biron has made guest appearances on networks such as TSN, where he serves as a hockey analyst contributing to shows like and playoff coverage, often analyzing goaltending matchups and team dynamics. He has also appeared on RDS and BPM Sports in French-language markets. These contributions highlight his bilingual skills and deep knowledge of the game. As of 2025, Biron continues his role with , with recent enhancements to the Sabres' broadcast incorporating more in-game analysis from him alongside color commentator . His commentary has increasingly emphasized evolving goaltending trends, such as hybrid crease movements and data-driven shot-blocking strategies, as seen in his September 2025 TSN rankings of all 32 NHL teams' goaltending tandems. He also contributes to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio for season-long coverage.

Coaching and Administrative Roles

Following his retirement from the NHL in 2013, Martin Biron assumed the role of Director of Goaltending at the Academy of Hockey at in , starting in January 2014. In this capacity, he oversees goaltending development programs designed to enhance skills for players across various age groups and skill levels, drawing on his extensive experience. Biron has actively mentored emerging goaltenders through Harborcenter's initiatives, providing personalized coaching and technical guidance to foster technical proficiency and mental resilience. His efforts include close involvement with prospects linked to the organization, where he monitors and contributes to the growth of young talents within the team's developmental pipeline. In 2021–22, Biron served briefly as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres 18U AAA team. In recognition of his earlier achievements with the , Biron was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame on February 16, 2018, during a pre-game ceremony against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The honor celebrated his tenure from 1997 to 2001, during which he posted a 59-32-9 record and a .921 save percentage in 103 games.

Personal Life

Family

Martin Biron has a younger brother, Mathieu Biron, who also pursued a career as a in the National Hockey League (NHL), appearing in 253 games with the , , , and from 1999 to 2006. Biron has been married to Anne Marie Biron (née Bratty), a former teacher, since July 6, 2002. The couple has four children, including their eldest son, Jacob Biron, born on July 26, 2004, in . Jacob has followed in his father's footsteps as a ; after playing junior hockey with the Kemptville 73's of the Central Canada Hockey League, he committed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point () men's program in January 2023 and made his NCAA debut during the 2024–25 season. Biron's family played a significant role in his career decisions, particularly regarding relocations. Following his 2007 trade from the Buffalo Sabres to the Philadelphia Flyers, his wife and young children joined him in Philadelphia to help the family establish roots in the area. Later, during the 2012–13 NHL lockout, extended time at home in East Aurora, New York, with his family prompted Biron to prioritize family stability upon his 2013 retirement, forgoing opportunities in the minor leagues or Europe. Jacob's commitment to Army West Point in 2023 marked a notable family milestone, reflecting the intergenerational pursuit of hockey excellence.

Citizenship and Residences

Martin Biron, originally from Lac-Saint-Charles, Quebec, Canada, was naturalized as a United States citizen on February 21, 2017, during a ceremony at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in Buffalo, New York. He retains his Canadian citizenship, allowing dual nationality under both countries' laws. Biron pursued U.S. citizenship primarily due to his long-term to an American from Buffalo and his established family life in the United States, where he has resided for over two decades. He expressed interest in participating in the U.S. electoral process, noting that prior residency status had limited his ability to vote in either country. Biron has maintained a long-term residence in the Buffalo area, initially moving there at age 19 to begin his professional hockey career with the Sabres in 1995, and later purchasing a home in East Aurora, New York, in 2012. His family ties, including his wife's Buffalo roots and their four children, have anchored him in Western New York, where he now lives permanently. The acquisition of U.S. citizenship has supported Biron's post-retirement professional opportunities by eliminating immigration barriers for in the United States, facilitating his roles as a studio analyst for MSG Networks covering the and as director of goaltending at the Academy of Hockey at HARBORCENTER in Buffalo.

Awards and Honors

Individual Awards

During his junior career with the Beauport Harfangs in the 1994–95 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) season, Martin Biron earned multiple individual accolades for his standout goaltending performance. He received the Raymond Lagacé Trophy as the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year, recognizing his exceptional play as a first-year professional prospect. Biron also won the Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy for posting the league's best goals-against average of 2.48, highlighting his defensive prowess in net. Additionally, he was awarded the Mike Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL's best professional prospect, an honor that underscored his potential as a top NHL draft pick, which he realized when selected 16th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1995. At the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) level, Biron was named Goaltender of the Year, a testament to his dominance across major junior hockey. In the (AHL) during the 1998–99 season with the , Biron continued his excellence, capturing the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as the league's top after leading the circuit with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage over 52 games. He was also selected to the AHL First All-Star Team and participated in the 1999 AHL All-Star Game, further affirming his status as one of the top netminders in minor professional hockey. On the international stage, Biron contributed to Canada's success at the in , , where he served as a on the roster for the gold medal-winning , which defeated 3–2 in for the title; although he did not see game action, his selection highlighted his standing among Canadian netminders at the time.

Team and League Recognitions

During his junior career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Biron contributed to the Hull Olympiques' success in the 1996–97 season, where the captured the QMJHL President's Cup by defeating the Saguenéens in . As the starting , Biron played a key role in Hull's playoff run, appearing in 16 games with an 11-4-1 record and a 2.65 goals-against average. The Olympiques advanced to the 1997 as hosts and QMJHL champions, ultimately winning the tournament with a 5–1 victory over the in the final, marking Biron's participation in the Canadian Hockey League's (CHL) premier junior , although he was on the roster but did not appear in Memorial Cup games. In the National Hockey League (NHL), Biron was a member of the team that clinched the 2006–07 as the league's top regular-season performer, finishing with a 53–21–8 record and 112 points. During his tenure with Buffalo from 1995 to 2007, the Sabres qualified for the eight times (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, and 2007), including deep runs to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1998 and 2007. Traded to the mid-season in 2007, Biron helped the team reach the 2007–08 Eastern Conference Finals, where they fell to the in five games after defeating the and in earlier rounds. With the from 2010 to 2013, Biron served as backup on the 2011–12 squad that advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the in six games following victories over the and . Post-retirement, Biron was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018, recognizing his contributions as a for the Sabres' affiliate from 1997 to 2001, where he posted a 59–32–9 record with a .921 save percentage over 104 games.

Career Statistics

NHL Regular Season and Playoffs

Martin Biron appeared in 508 games over his NHL career spanning 1995 to 2014, primarily serving as a starting for the and before transitioning to backup roles with the and . His regular-season performance featured a career (GAA) of 2.61 and save percentage (SV%) of .910, reflecting solid consistency amid varying team defenses and workloads. Biron recorded 230 wins, 191 losses, 52 ties (including losses), and 28 shutouts, contributing to playoff-qualifying teams on multiple occasions without securing a appearance as a primary starter. The following table summarizes Biron's regular-season statistics by season from 1995–96 to 2013–14. Data includes games played (GP), wins-losses-ties/OTL (W-L-T/OTL), GAA, SV%, and shutouts (SO).
SeasonTeamGPW-L-T/OTLGAASV%SO
1995–96BUF30-2-05.05.8440
1998–99BUF61-2-12.14.9170
1999–00BUF4119-18-22.42.9095
2000–01BUF187-7-12.55.9092
2001–02BUF7231-28-102.22.9154
2002–03BUF5417-28-62.56.9084
2003–04BUF5226-18-52.52.9132
2005–06BUF3521-8-32.88.9051
2006–07BUF/PHI3518-12-33.03.9030
2007–08PHI6230-20-92.59.9185
2008–09PHI5529-19-52.76.9152
2009–10NYI299-14-43.27.8961
2010–11NYR178-6-02.13.9230
2011–12NYR2112-6-22.46.9042
2012–13NYR62-2-12.32.9170
2013–14NYR20-1-07.65.7630
Biron peaked in workload and reliability during the 2001–02 season with Buffalo, starting 72 games and posting a 2.22 GAA while helping the Sabres reach the playoffs, and again in 2007–08 with , where his .918 SV% and five shutouts anchored a surprise Eastern Conference Finals appearance. In 2005–06, despite a shorter stint due to competition from , he achieved 21 wins in 35 games, underscoring his efficiency in a shared role. In the playoffs, Biron appeared in 23 games across two seasons with the Flyers, compiling an 11–12 record, 2.83 GAA, .910 SV%, and two . His most extensive postseason action came in 2007–08, starting all 17 games en route to the Finals, where he recorded a and demonstrated resilience against strong offenses like the and . The following year, in 2008–09, he started six games in a first-round upset over the favored before the Flyers' elimination. Although Biron served as a reliable during the Rangers' notable 2011–12 Finals run, he did not appear in those , with handling all duties.

International Statistics

Martin Biron had limited appearances in international competition, representing at the 1997 IIHF World Under-20 Championship. His international play consisted of one relief appearance, where he posted a 0-0-0 record, a 0.00 goals-against average (GAA), and a 1.000 save percentage (SV%), earning a . In the 1997 IIHF World Under-20 Championship held in and , , Biron served as the backup to Jamie Storr, appearing in one relief game for , which won the by defeating the 3-1 in the final. In that single appearance, he recorded 0 wins, a 0.00 GAA, and a 1.000 SV% over limited minutes. Biron was selected for the roster but did not appear in any games as claimed . This international performance demonstrated Biron's reliability in high-stakes situations, with his 1.000 SV% surpassing his NHL regular-season mark of .910 across 508 games.
TournamentYearGPW-L-TMINGAGAASV%Result
World U20 Championship199710-0-000.001.000
Career Totals-10-0-000.001.000-

References

  1. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/bironma01.html
  2. https://www.nhl.com/player/martin-biron-8462047
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  4. https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/77284/martin-biron
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  7. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/9083/mathieu-biron
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  16. https://media.nhl.com/site/asset/public/ext/2024-25/NHLStatsPack_2025NHLTradeDeadline.pdf
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