Elmira, Ontario is a growing town of over 10 000 people north of Kitchener- Waterloo. It’s mainly a farming community whose largest crop is that of Martins. Martins make up almost a full half of the Elmira area’s residents.
They are so numerous that I have heard of Martins marrying Martins. As well, I was furious When the politician named Paul Martin didn’t use his middle name. He still went on to become prime minister despite the fact in high school in my grade in Elmira, there were two Paul Martins.
Despite being representative of almost half of Elmiranites, Martins do not lord it over the general populace. Elmira is in Canada and no Martin has made it to the National Hockey League, unlike Rod Seiling, Darryl Sittler and Dan Snyder. Martins have to hang their heads around the Seilings, Sittlers and Snyders. There was even a brief flirtation with changing the Martin surname to Sartin. But then Dennis Wideman also made it to the NHL. You didn’t have to have a surname beginning with S to make it to the NHL when you are from the Elmira area.
So what was the problem with the Martins? We might never know. But at long last Brady Martin, from the Elmira area was drafted 5th overall by the Nashville Predators. He still hasn’t played any NHL games. But this time, the Martins do have a good chance of having an NHL calibre player.
Now the Martins of Elmira will be able to hold their heads high. They might even think they have professional hockey in their blood. I just wouldn’t be too proud around the Sittlers.
Despite the advent of Gretzky, Lemieux, Crosby and McDavid, Darryl Sittler still has the most points in one game with 10. It’s not even close. Just a couple other players with 8 points in a game. It appears Sittler has a record that will last many more years.
