Blackhawks Defenseman Alec Martinez had endured a rough month of hospitalization after an unfortunate accident involving the Winnipeg Jets Adam Lowry.

Blackhawks roster moves include Alec Martinez heading to IR – NBC Chicago

The night of December 7th defenseman Alec Martinez did his best to block a shot from the Winnipeg Jets Adam Lowry.

The puck would hit the right side of his neck after he deflected the shot. While he thought nothing of it, the Doctors were concerned for the 37-year-old and he’d later be rushed to the hospital to combat possible blood clots.

Leading to complications.

«I had some complications,» Martinez said Thursday. “[It was] just an unlucky bounce. That’s what you get sometimes for doing what you’re supposed to do, and then take a puck to a very bad area of your neck – not that there’s a good area of your neck. But [it was] a particularly bad spot.»

 

After his trip to the hospital he’d attempt to return to the ice but would be placed on injured reserve on December 11th. He’d skate with the team going on a month and a half, while waiting for his veins to heal from taking a puck to the neck.


He’s now finally «feeling a lot better,» and his return seems imminent.
“[When] you go stick-on-puck, [if] I do that 100 times, it’s not going to hit me in that spot. But it did,» he said. «It was not ideal.»

Not only that, but he had to contend with a complicated childbirth, as his son Jack would undergo some trials, but thankfully he’s healthy now.

With his return ahead, Martinez looks forward to coming back to the ice and playing to the best of his abilities, after missing significant time this season.

The composition of the Hawks’ defense has changed markedly since they signed Martinez (and T.J. Brodie) in free agency on July 1, when they intended for it to be a fairly veteran-heavy group. The last few games, four of the six dressed defensemen have been 23 years old or younger: Alex Vlasic, Nolan Allan, Wyatt Kaiser and Louis Crevier.

Bringing Martinez back will hopefully stabilize the defense as they’ve been missing veteran Connor Murphy dealing with a groin injury of his own.

Martinez’s skills could help take some heat off of TJ Brodie’s struggles and shore up a blue line that has been complemented by youngsters like Wyatt Kaiser, Alex Vlasic, and Louis Crevier.

Martinez has played 15 games for the Blackhawks and scored 4 points( 1 G, 3 A) with the team.