Stanley Cup voyage comes to close

The Stanley Cup — after visits to four countries, seven Canadian provinces and 10 U.S. states — made its final player visit of its summer tour Saturday.

Defenseman Alec Martinez, a Rochester Hills, Michigan, native, was scheduled to receive the trophy one day after left wing Paul Cotter had it in Plymouth. It’s Martinez’s third day with the Cup, after also winning it with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014. He’s one of 10 active players with three championships.

Along the way, Martinez has earned an apt nickname he despises. “Warrior.”

Martinez earned the moniker because he’s willing to put his body on the line no matter the score, no matter the circumstance. He didn’t miss one of the Knights’ 19 postseason games in 2021 despite playing with a broken foot. He also led the NHL in blocked shots this season, eating 46 more pucks than the next-closest player, teammate Brayden Mcnabb.

Martinez’s selflessness has seeped through the lineup in his time with the Knights. He’s become one of the team’s veteran leaders since arriving before the 2020 trade deadline in a deal with the Kings. The Knights, following his example, led the league in blocked shots in the regular season and playoffs.

Martinez — who scored the Cup-clinching goal in overtime for the Kings in 2014 — also came up with some key offensive contributions in the final against Florida. He scored two goals, including one in the deciding Game 5 at T-mobile Arena.

The Knights players, now that the Cup has finished changing hands, will have to get back to work before long.

The team’s rookie camp starts Sept. 12, and training camp will follow soon after before the preseason opener against the San Jose Sharks on Sept. 24.