Another Chicago Blackhawks veteran makes a drastic career announcement and it's over

37-year-old Blackhawks defenseman Alec Martinez has decided to hang up the skates at the end of the 2024-2025 season.

Joining his fellow teammate Pat Maroon in retirement, he has had a successful career in the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup trophy three times with the Los Angeles Kings (2X) and Vegas Golden Knights (1X).

Martinez's 2024-2025 season has been plagued with injury, as he'd only played 43 games for the Blackhawks and scored 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists). He was brought in to be a mentor for the younger players making the jump to the NHL.

But a lack of consistency in the regular season has led him to watch the team from the sidelines.

Martinez dropped the news on Saturday to the Blackhawks commentator Darren Pang during the pre-game warmup against the Winnipeg Jets tonight.

This game will be Martinez's 862nd career NHL game, and his 44th game as a Chicago Blackhawk.

The defenseman had a sordid history of posting a game-winning goal against the Blackhawks in 2014 in one overtime game, and has been a thorn in the team's side for some time.

Now, with a lack of complete irony, he'll retire wearing a Blackhawks crest, and will say goodbye to the United Center ice in tonight's home finale against the Winnipeg Jets.

Martinez may not have had a huge impact in the Blackhawks' lineup, but he has three championships to his name and was a part of the Vegas Golden Knights' first Stanley Cup-winning team.

Congrats on a successful career, Alec, and enjoy your retirement at the conclusion of the season!