Golden Knights Defenseman Alec Martinez Will Skate In His 800th Game
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez will skate in his 800th career game tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Golden Knights Defenseman Alec Martinez Will Skate In His 800th GameVegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez will skate in his 800th career game tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The 36-year-old American is in his 15th season in the NHL where he has spent time with both the Los Angeles Kings and the Golden Knights. Martinez is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, winning two with the Kings and one last season with the Golden Knights. Martinez scored the cup-clinching goal in double overtime for the Kings in 2014.
Martinez was drafted in the fourth round with the 95th pick in the 2007 NHL entry draft by the Kings. Martinez went on to play 597 games with the Kings scoring 62 goals, and 136 assists for 198 points.
He was traded to the Golden Knights in the 2019-20 season. The Kings were heading towards a bit of a rebuild and the Golden Knights were looking to add a defensive defenseman.
Since joining the Golden Knights, Martinez has played 202 games, scoring 21 goals and 52 assists for 73 points. Martinez is an unsung hero on the Golden Knights, he kills penalties and plays against the opponent's top players.
Martinez spoke on the milestone.
"I was very fortunate to learn from a lot of really good pros, learn what to do both on and off the ice from a select few group of people and they know who they are and without them, I wouldn't be sitting here".
Martinez also spoke about some of the injuries he's had to face throughout his career. Martinez has only played all 82 games once in his career and has played in at least 70 games just four times. Blocked shots, hits and receiving hits are just a small price to pay for the game he provides the Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights are entering the final stretch run before the playoffs begin. They'll need Martinez's composure and consistency if they want to make another long playoff run.
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