Islanders’ Matt Martin retires — and takes front-office job

Matt Martin may have understood the inevitable was coming before the season’s last home game, when he welled up with tears after being asked about his emotions.

Now it’s official.

Martin, the Islanders’ heart-and-soul fourth-liner who helped define the club’s most successful era since the Dynasty, announced his retirement Tuesday. In the same breath, he was named a special assistant to general manager Mathieu Darche.

“This is a special place,” Martin said that morning back in April. “I’ve been so proud to wear this jersey and be a part of this team and community. Obviously, don’t know what the future holds. Through the good and the bad, the heartbreaks, all of it, it’s always been a pleasure to be a part of this team and wear this uniform.”

Martin played just 32 games last season, falling 13 games short of 1,000 for his career, after signing a tryout contract to play one more season.

He finished his career with 81 goals, 97 assists and 3,936 hits — second on the all-time leaderboard only to longtime linemate Cal Clutterbuck.

“He’s been a big brother, literally, from day one,” Mat Barzal said on breakup day. “I tweeted at him, I think, on my draft day. He’s been a big brother to a lot of guys in this room, not just myself. He just does things right off the ice, on the ice. He works hard. Standup guy.”