Alex Nedeljkovic Bio
Alexander Nedeljkovic, commonly known as Alex Nedeljkovic, is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 7, 1996 in Parma, Ohio, Nedeljkovic has built a reputation as one of the most unusual goaltenders of his generation, distinguished by rare offensive contributions at multiple professional levels. Selected 37th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, he began his professional career in 2015 and continues to contribute meaningfully at the top level of North American hockey.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Nedeljkovic was born on January 7, 1996 in Parma, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland in the United States. He grew up in Cleveland, where he developed his early interest in hockey by playing for the Cleveland Barons bantam AAA team. As a young player, he also represented the Barons at the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, an event that traditionally gathers some of the strongest minor hockey programs in North America.
Nedeljkovic is of Serbian descent, with his grandparents originally from a village near the town of Ljubovija in Serbia. His Serbian heritage and Orthodox Christian faith are reflected on the back plate of his goaltender mask, which displays a Serbian cross. These cultural connections have remained an important part of his identity throughout his hockey career.
Path to Hockey
Nedeljkovic began his major junior career in 2012 with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). During his rookie season, he posted a strong 2.28 goals against average and won the F. W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy, awarded to the OHL rookie goaltender with the best goals against average. He was also named to the 2012–13 OHL First All-Rookie Team, signaling his early potential as a top-level goaltender prospect.
The following season, Nedeljkovic was selected to participate in both the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game and the 2014 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, two of the most prominent showcase events for draft-eligible players. His strong junior performance led to his selection by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. On the international stage, he won a silver medal with the United States under-18 team at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
Alex Nedeljkovic Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Following the conclusion of the 2014–15 season with the Whalers, Nedeljkovic signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on March 27, 2015. He was assigned to the Hurricanes’ ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades, where he made his professional debut late in that regular season. During his final junior season in 2015–16, he was traded by the Flint Firebirds, along with fellow Hurricanes draft pick Josh Wesley, to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for goaltender Brent Moran in November 2015.
In his rookie professional season of 2016–17, Nedeljkovic became the 12th ECHL goaltender ever to score a goal when he accomplished the feat on December 30, 2016, while playing for the Florida Everblades. Shortly afterward, on January 17, 2017, he appeared in his first NHL game in relief of starter Cam Ward against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The following season, on March 10, 2018, while playing for the Charlotte Checkers, he became the 13th goaltender in American Hockey League (AHL) history to score a goal.
Carolina Hurricanes Breakthrough (2019–2021)
After starting the 2018–19 season with the Checkers, Nedeljkovic was recalled to the NHL on January 17, 2019. On January 23, against the Vancouver Canucks, he made his first NHL start and secured his first NHL win with 24 saves on 26 shots. On June 28, 2019, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Hurricanes, setting the stage for his eventual NHL breakthrough.
In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Nedeljkovic remained with the Hurricanes due to expanded rosters and delivered a breakout NHL campaign. On February 20, 2021, he recorded his first career NHL shutout in a 4–0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. On April 1, 2021, he was named NHL Rookie of the Month for games played in March. Across 23 regular season games, he posted a 15–5–3 record for the division-leading Hurricanes, tied for the NHL rookie lead in shutouts with three, and led all NHL goaltenders who played at least 20 games with a 1.90 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.
In the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Nedeljkovic earned his first postseason victory on May 17, 2021, a 5–2 win over the Nashville Predators, and followed it up with his first playoff shutout on May 19, a 3–0 victory over the Predators. He finished the postseason with four wins in nine games, though Carolina was eliminated in the second round. In June 2021, he was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year, finishing third behind Kirill Kaprizov and Jason Robertson, and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2021–2023)
Unable to agree on a new contract as a restricted free agent, Nedeljkovic was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on July 22, 2021, in exchange for Jonathan Bernier and a third-round pick. He was immediately signed to a two-year, $6 million contract. He recorded his first shutout as a Red Wings goaltender on January 15, 2022, against the Buffalo Sabres.
After a strong opening to his Red Wings tenure, Nedeljkovic faced difficulties in the New Year, going 2–5–1 with a 4.64 goals-against average and an .849 save percentage over his previous nine appearances by early March. On March 10, 2022, he made headlines when he accidentally swept the puck into his own net in what the Detroit Free Press described as a gaffe for the ages.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2023–2025)
On July 1, 2023, Nedeljkovic signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. While on a rehab assignment with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on November 17, 2023, he scored his second AHL goal in a 4–2 road win over the Providence Bruins, becoming the first goaltender in AHL history to score two or more career goals. On June 20, 2024, the Penguins re-signed him to a two-year, $5 million contract extension carrying an average annual value of $2.5 million.
San Jose Sharks Era (2025–Present)
On January 17, 2025, Nedeljkovic scored his first career NHL goal in a 5–2 victory against the Buffalo Sabres, becoming the 16th NHL goaltender ever to do so. In the same game, he also became the first goaltender in NHL history to score a goal and record an assist in the same game, as well as the only goaltender to score a goal in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL. On July 1, 2025, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a 2028 third-round draft pick.
Driving Style and Strengths
Nedeljkovic is known for his technical poise, quick reflexes, and ability to handle high-pressure situations, which have allowed him to post elite save percentages when at his best. He has demonstrated a unique offensive dimension rare among goaltenders, having scored goals at the ECHL, AHL, and NHL levels. His versatility and willingness to track pucks in tight spaces have made him a reliable presence in net throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most celebrated achievements, Nedeljkovic became the 12th ECHL goaltender to score a goal on December 30, 2016, the 13th AHL goaltender to do so on March 10, 2018, and the 16th NHL goaltender to do so on January 17, 2025. He is also the first NHL goaltender to score a goal and record an assist in the same game, cementing his place as one of the most unique offensive contributors in goaltending history.
Alex Nedeljkovic Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Alex Nedeljkovic has earned victories at every level of professional hockey. He secured his first NHL win on January 23, 2019, against the Vancouver Canucks, posted a 15–5–3 record during his breakout 2020–21 Hurricanes season, and added four postseason wins that spring. He has continued to compete for starts at the NHL level with the San Jose Sharks after being acquired on July 1, 2025.
Alex Nedeljkovic Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Alex Nedeljkovic comes from a family of Serbian heritage, with his grandparents originally from a village near the town of Ljubovija in Serbia. His Serbian descent and Orthodox Christian faith are reflected in the Serbian cross featured on the back plate of his goaltender mask, which serves as a personal tribute to his roots.
Personal Life
Nedeljkovic continues to embrace his Serbian heritage both on and off the ice, with cultural symbols incorporated into his goaltending equipment. He has spoken publicly about his family connections to Serbia and the role of his faith in shaping his approach to hockey and life.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a turning point in Alex Nedeljkovic’s career. While with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he scored his first career NHL goal on January 17, 2025, against the Buffalo Sabres, also recording an assist in the same game to make league history. This achievement came during the final year of his Penguins tenure and highlighted his continued growth as both a goaltender and an offensive contributor.
Following his historic performance, Nedeljkovic was traded to the San Jose Sharks on July 1, 2025, in exchange for a 2028 third-round draft pick. His contract, signed in June 2024, runs through the 2025–26 season with an average annual value of $2.5 million. As he settles into the Sharks organization, he is expected to compete for a meaningful role within the team’s goaltending rotation.
Looking ahead, Nedeljkovic’s combination of technical skill, composure, and unique offensive instincts gives him an opportunity to play a stabilizing role for a rebuilding Sharks roster. His track record of strong performance at the NHL level, paired with his leadership in the dressing room, suggests that he will remain a productive contributor through the end of his current contract in 2026.