Born Hubert Martin in Noranda, Quebec, Martin was nicknamed "Pit" after a comic strip character in a French language newspaper. After being scouted by former NHL goaltender Wilf Cude, Pit joined the Detroit Red Wing organization, playing a single game in 1961-62.
Martin joined the NHL full-time in 1963-64, and played with the Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, and Vancouver Canucks during his sixteen year career, totalling 809 points in his 1,101 games played. During a dismal 1968-69 season where the Hawks finished out of the playoffs, Martin denounced many of his teammates, claiming that only three "wear their uniforms with any desire to win."
The next season, the team rebounded, finishing in first place with Martin contributing 30 goals and 33 assists. Martin won the Masterton Trophy that season, the only major award he'd win during his NHL career. Although only 5'8" and 165 pounds, the rugged two-way forward proved that he could leave his mark in the NHL by playing hard every shift of every game.
Martin is often remembered for being part of one of the most one-sided trades in NHL history. In May 1967, he, along with Gilles Marotte and Jack Norris, went from Boston to Chicago for Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, and Fred Stanfield.
On November 30, 2008 Martin and a friend were on an icy lake snowmobiling when suddenly the ice cracked beneath. The snowmobile plunged into the lake and Martin, 64, was unable to be saved by his companion who managed to escape the tragedy.
