Golden Knights fans have fond memories of Alec Martinez during his Las Vegas tenure. The defenseman was known for blocking shots (677 in five seasons with Vegas) and being a pure blueliner. He was also known for his love for the Detroit Lions, no matter how tortured and horrible the NFL franchise has been. After all, he hails from Rochester Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.
But fans will reunite once more with the 2023 Stanley Cup winner on Thursday. This time, he's playing for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks. His new team has 41 points and sits in last place in the Central Division. Still, it won't be easy for the home team, who must face the upstart Connor Bedard (16 goals, 49 assists).
Yes, Chicago is currently on a four-game losing streak. However, hockey is a game of unpredictability. You don't know who will score in a given game, whether it's Martinez or Zach Whitecloud. Regardless, the focus will be on the reunion with the defenseman, who came over from the Los Angeles Kings and gave Las Vegas some Stanley Cup glory.
With that, let's look back at the 37-year-old's highlights with his former team. Sure, he might be reduced to scoring four goals and five assists this season. However, the blueliner made his cheddar by blocking shots and putting his body on the line. It's time to celebrate the Rochester Hills native as he returns to T-Mobile Arena on Thursday.
The story behind Alec Martinez's tenure with the Golden Knights
Before Martinez became a high-roller in Las Vegas, he was part of the Los Angeles Kings. Here, he won two Stanley Cups alongside Jonathan Quick (who would also win another in Sin City). In fact, he's known for scoring the Stanley Cup clincher against the New York Rangers in 2014, burying the rebound for No. 2.
Of course, the Kings wouldn't have made it to the Stanley Cup Final if the Detroit Lions fan hadn't scored another overtime goal that postseason. This time, it was Game 7 of the Western Conference Final against... You guessed it, the Chicago Blackhawks. It's safe to say he has a penchant for coming up with clutch goals for his team.
That's why the Vegas Golden Knights acquired him for two second-round draft picks in February 2020. You needed a shutdown defenseman in the prime of his career to give your blue line stability. It's safe to say it was worth giving up a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 second-round pick from St. Louis.
Now? Everything has come full-circle for the three-time Stanley Cup champion. He's mentoring a young Connor Bedard to become the unstoppable force he's destined to be, albeit for one year and $4 million. His new team needs all the veteran leadership it can get, especially with 25 draft picks coming in the next three drafts.
Las Vegas has seen its share of former champions make their returns to T-Mobile Arena this season. That includes seeing Chandler Stephenson hang out with Sasquatch in Seattle and Logan Thompson representing the nation's capital. However, this particular reunion is underrated. Fans will have fond memories of a particular Lions fan blocking shots for their team, en route to their first Stanley Cup.