Los Angeles Kings signs defenseman Alec Martinez, remains safe from arbitration –NHL offseason Update
Alec Martinez, a two-season long defenseman for Los Angeles Kings, was among the 23 players who had filed for arbitration against their teams not offering them a qualifying offer after becoming free agents on July 1, 2011.
LA avoided the arbitration hearing set for later this month and signed Martinez to a two-year contract, of which the financial details are unknown.
A 95th overall pick in round-four of the 2007 National Hockey League (NHL), Martinez will be gearing up to enter his third season with Los Angeles now.
Beginning his official ice hockey career with Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL) during the 2004-2005 season, Martinez played 58 games and registered 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in that duration.
He played the following three seasons with Miami University RedHawks in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) and played a total of 123 games in which he registered 67 points (21 goals, 46 assists).
After being drafted, Martinez played a full season with Kings affiliate club in the American Hockey League (AHL), Manchester Monarchs, appearing in 72 games and accumulating 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists).
He played his first four NHL games during the 2009-2010 season with LA in which he gained two penalty minutes and remained unable to register a single point.
Martinez eventually epent the remaining season again with Monarch for another 55 games and 30 points (7 goals, 23 assists).
Last season, the 23-year-old defender made a big impression by playing in 60 games and recording a career high of 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists) and an impressive plus-minus rating of 11.
Martinez also played six playoff games with LA last postseason and picked up one assist in that timeframe.
Previously, Martinez, the Rochester Hills, Missouri, United States native, had a salary cap hit of $875,000.
It is expected that he will surely get a raise this time around, and if his performance remains high during their summer camp training, it will not be unforeseen to seen him playing a much bigger role for the California club next season.
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