The Blackhawks signed Alec Martinez a little under three weeks ago when the free agency window opened.
For that, I hated Martinez.
One of those names that irked me for a decade even after the Blackhawks and Kings were both dismantled.
When they signed him I was excited.
He has Brent Seabrook vibes.
Does things the right way.
Always comes through in the playoffs.
Still…residual…ehhh because the most vivid memory of him is associated with pain.
Now…that’s done.
A child of the 90s like me decided to switch his number to 25 just for JR. All class.
And frankly…the right thing to do.
Every 27 for the Blackhawks since Roenick has looked weird.
Now…it’s unofficially retired.
We were so lucky to grow up on those Blackhawks teams with Chelios, Belfour, and Roenick.
They played the game the way you tell yourself you’d play if you were good enough.
Inspirational players which is something you’re able to’t say about too many guys.
Even as a kid you knew you were never going to be able to skate like Bure.
You weren’t going to shoot it like Selanne.
You could play hard and mean like Chelios and Roenick though.
They were the perfect stars for this city which is why I think they are still so beloved.
There’s going to be a lot of numbers going to the rafters in the next several years.
81 is already up there.
19, 88, and 2 are locks.
I’d love to have all seven guys who won three Cups retired as well.
I don’t think they will all go up, but the Blackhawks have 9 retired numbers.
Half of what Montreal has.
I don’t think they’re in danger of running out of numbers any time soon.
We hopefully have a great generation of players coming.
Starts with small gestures like this from Martinez and good habits.
