25 year old Kings defenseman Alec Martinez, who had signed with TPS in Finland’s SM-Liiga during the NHL lockout, was hospitalized after taking a puck to the face earlier today. He is reportedly being evaluated for a concussion.
In this video, we can see Juha Leimu wind up for a slapshot at the blueline. Martinez, who had been standing in front of the net, falls to the ice bleeding. He rises a few moments later under his own power, but does not return.
The full extent of his injury is unknown, but right now it appears to be serious. Matias Strozyk of Elite Prospects reports:
Alec Martinez still in hospital for scans/tests, per TPS coach. Said it doesn’t look good and AM might well be out for a while. #LAKings
— Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) November 13, 2012
It looks like it will be a while before the tests are completed. If he does have a concussion, I expect TPS will proceed with caution and not rush him back to action. We can only hope for the best and wish Martinez a speedy recovery.
Martinez has been playing in Finland since mid-October. It was his tenth game.