The Los Angeles Kings avoided arbitration with defenseman Alec Martinez on Friday when they reached agreement on a new two-year contract.
Martinez, who turns 24 on July 26, compiled 5 goals and 16 points in 60 regular season games with the Kings in 2010-11. He appeared in all six of their postseason games, picking up an assist. Martinez also suited up for 20 regular-season games with the American Hockey League’s Manchester Monarchs in 2010-11 and had 5 goals and 16 points.
Martinez and the Kings had an arbitration hearing scheduled for July 27.
Among NHL rookie defensemen last season Martinez was tied for sixth in goals, 10th in assists, eighth in points, fifth in plus-minus (plus-11), eighth in shots (74) and ninth in hits (69).
The 6-foot, 205-pound native of Rochester Hills, Mich. started last season in Manchester and was recalled to the Kings on Nov. 23. At the time of his recall Martinez ranked first on the Monarchs in points (tied for second among AHL defensemen) and assists. He was also one of Manchester’s alternate captains.
Martinez made his NHL debut for the Kings in 2009-10 and played in four games that season. He led Manchester defensemen in 2009-10 with 30 points and 23 assists, while leading the club overall with a plus-12 rating. He also helped the Monarchs reach the Eastern Conference Finals during the Calder Cup Playoffs.
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