As the Blackhawks kick off the 2024-25 season, a fresh lineup of veteran newcomers who were signed over the summer have hit the ice wearing red and black for the first time. To help introduce the newest additions, Blackhawks.com sat down with them for a few quick get-to-know-you questions.

Among those new faces is Alec Martinez, a seasoned defenseman ready to bring his experience to the blue line for Chicago.

birthday boy Alec Martinez is ready for a new opportunity pic.twitter.com/2l6hj5KvWv

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 26, 2024

What is the first thought that comes to mind when you hear “Chicago”?

“Hot dogs, Lake Michigan, oh, and the home of Alex Vlasic.”

What was your “welcome to the NHL” moment?

“I think just playing in my first game, being minus two, and both goals being my fault. I think we lost like 5-2. It made me realize I had to be a lot better than I was that night in order to stick around.”

What is a piece of advice that you would give to a rookie coming into the team?

“Come to the rink everyday. Work hard. Have fun. Super boring answer.”

What condiments would you put on a hot dog?

“No ketchup, for sure. I’m just a mustard-only guy unless it’s a coney from back home or a Chicago-style dog here. Other than that, plain hot dog—just mustard.”

If there is going to be a Alec Martinez giveaway night here in Chicago, what are the fans getting?

“Ooh, probably something dog-related. I have two dogs, so maybe a dog toy.”

Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

“I certainly have a routine, but I don’t have any superstition per se. I think it’s too hard; if you try to do that, inevitably it’s going to get messed up, so you just have to remove it.”

Who are you most excited to have as a teammate here this season?

“Well, I can’t limit it to just one guy. That’s kind of putting me on the spot here. Yeah, I can’t just say one guy; I’m just happy to be here.”

If you could play alongside with any NHL player in history, who would you play with?

“Seth Jones. Because he’s my D partner”

If you could play any other sport, what would it be?

“Football, hands down, because I’d want to play for the Detroit Lions, and that’s it.”

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would you choose?

“I was going say one of the guys in this [locker] room, but everyone’s been very welcoming. I’d probably say my grandfather.”

QUICK STATS

Height/Weight: 6-1 / 210 lb
Shoots: Left
Hometown: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Age: 37
Contract: First year of one-year contract ($4M salary cap hit)
Draft: Los Angeles – Round 4 (#95 overall) in 2007 NHL Draft

2023-24 Team: Vegas (NHL)
2023-24 Stats: 55 games played, 17 points (4G, 13A), 55 PIM

CAREER NOTES

• Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round (No. 95) of the 2007 NHL Draft, making his NHL debut on Oct. 3, 2009, against the Phoenix Coyotes
• Key contributor to the Kings’ 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup championships, scoring the double-overtime winner in Game 5 of the 2014 Final to clinch the Cup for L.A.
• Led Kings defensemen with 11 goals in the 2013-14 season, scoring the series-clinching goal in Game 7 of the Western Conference Final against the Chicago Blackhawks
• Set a career high with 39 points (9G, 30A) during the 2016-17 season before being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020, where he won a third Stanley Cup in 2023
• Signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 1, 2024