During a 14-year NHL career, Paul Martin has a lot to be proud of.



He’ll go down as one of the best defensemen in University of Minnesota history and one of the best Minnesota-born defensemen in NHL history, but it’s who he was off the ice that has left the most lasting impression on his now former teammates.



Caring. Charitable. A shoulder to lean on. And so damn cool.



Examples?



— “Great, great professional. Probably one of those most generous and down-to-earth people you’ll ever meet. Such a good, good guy,” said Zach Parise, who played with Martin on the New Jersey Devils and in the 2014 Olympics.



— “One of the best teammates I’ve had the chance to play with. Very calming factor, easy going, someone you could talk to when things weren’t going well. I can’t tell you how many times I’d get frustrated after tough games and he was the guy that was always there to talk to...