Alexandar Georgiev Bio
Alexandar Georgiyevich Georgiev is a Bulgarian-born Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing about 182 pounds, he has built his reputation as a steady, workhorse netminder across top leagues in Europe and North America. He is recognized as the first Bulgarian-born player to appear in the National Hockey League (NHL), a milestone that has helped grow the sport’s footprint in his country of birth.
Georgiev launched his professional career in 2014 and has since competed in the Liiga, the NHL, and the KHL, suiting up for the New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, and Spartak Moscow. An undrafted player who climbed the ladder through perseverance, he has earned notable win totals in each of his major stops.
Early Life and Background
Alexandar Georgiyevich Georgiev was born on 10 February 1996 in Ruse, Bulgaria. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Russia, where he grew up and began learning the game. He holds dual citizenship of both Bulgaria and Russia, which has shaped his international identity throughout his career.
In Russia, Georgiev first laced up the skates with the Moscow-based Penguins, gaining his earliest organized hockey experiences in the country’s capital. His family later moved to Voskresensk, where he continued his development with Khimik Voskresensk. These formative years in Russian youth systems laid the technical foundation for his goaltending style.
Path to Professional Hockey
As a teenager, Georgiev made the move to Finland to chase a higher level of competition. He joined TPS of the Finnish Liiga and made his professional debut during the 2014–15 season at age 18. Over two standout seasons with TPS, Georgiev showcased flashes of the poise and athleticism that would later translate to the North American game.
Despite those promising showings in Finland, Georgiev went undrafted through the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Rather than give up on his North American ambition, he accepted an invitation to the New York Rangers’ developmental camp, where he impressed the organization enough to earn an entry-level opportunity. That chance, earned through performance rather than draft status, became the springboard for his NHL career.
Alexandar Georgiev Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Georgiev’s early professional years were spent in the Liiga with TPS, where he developed into one of the league’s more promising young goaltenders. The Finnish circuit gave him consistent playing time against grown professionals, helping him refine his positioning and rebound control. By the end of his second season, he had firmly established himself as a top-tier Liiga prospect.
Coming out of TPS, Georgiev entered the Rangers’ development system undrafted but determined. His performance at the Rangers’ summer developmental camp in 2017 convinced management that he was ready to compete for an NHL role, leading to a three-year, entry-level contract on 18 July 2017.
New York Rangers Breakthrough (2017–2022)
Georgiev made his NHL debut on 22 February 2018, stopping 38 shots against the Montreal Canadiens in a 3–1 loss. Less than two weeks later, on 3 March 2018, he earned his first NHL victory, turning aside 35 shots in a 3–2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Those early performances signaled that he belonged at the highest level.
During the 2018–19 season, Georgiev authored two signature performances. On 21 November 2018, he recorded his first career NHL shutout, a 5–0 win over the New York Islanders. Months later, on 10 February 2019, he turned in a career-high 55 saves in a 4–1 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the second-most saves in a single game in Rangers history and a regulation-era franchise record. Across his five seasons in New York, Georgiev served as a reliable partner in the team’s goaltending tandem.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2022–2024)
On 7 July 2022, the Rangers traded Georgiev’s negotiating rights to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for draft picks. Three days later, he signed a three-year, $10.2 million contract as a restricted free agent. The trade paired him with a Stanley Cup contender in need of steady goaltending, and he responded immediately.
In his first season with Colorado, Georgiev led the entire NHL with 40 wins, the most of any goaltender in the league that year. He repeated as Colorado’s workhorse in 2023–24, logging 38 wins and cementing himself as a key piece of the Avalanche’s competitive core.
San Jose Sharks and KHL Transition (2024–2025)
On 9 December 2024, the Avalanche traded Georgiev, along with Nikolai Kovalenko and conditional future draft picks, to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The move gave him a fresh opportunity in a rebuilding California market.
On 12 September 2025, Georgiev signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Just over two months later, on 23 November 2025, he was placed on waivers for the purpose of contract termination. Two days after that, on 25 November 2025, Georgiev officially signed a two-year contract with Spartak Moscow of the KHL, marking his first time playing professional hockey in Russia.
Playing Style and Strengths
Georgiev is known for his calm, technically sound approach in the crease. His blend of size, quickness, and rebound control allows him to handle high-volume shot totals, a strength he demonstrated with his 55-save performance against Toronto. He thrives when given a heavy workload, having logged 40-win and 38-win seasons in back-to-back years with Colorado.
Notable Events and Milestones
Georgiev’s list of milestones includes his first NHL win in 2018, his first NHL shutout later that season, and his record-setting 55-save game in February 2019. He became the first Bulgarian-born player to appear in the NHL, a historic first that adds to his legacy. He also paced the entire NHL in wins during the 2022–23 season.
Alexandar Georgiev Career Wins
Across his NHL career, Georgiev has piled up wins with multiple franchises. He recorded 40 wins for the Colorado Avalanche in 2022–23, leading the league, and followed that with 38 wins for the Avalanche in 2023–24, reinforcing his status as a top-tier starting goaltender.
Colorado Avalanche Highlights
Georgiev’s first NHL win total of note as a starter came in 2022–23, when his 40 victories paced the entire league. He replicated that workload with 38 wins the following season, giving Colorado back-to-back seasons of elite goaltending production.
Other Wins and Performances
In the Liiga, Georgiev delivered two standout developmental seasons with TPS that attracted NHL attention. His early career wins in New York, including a shutout and a 55-save masterpiece, gave the Rangers a reliable second option behind their starter and laid the groundwork for his later stardom.
Alexandar Georgiev Family
Family Background and Dual Citizenship
Georgiev was born in Ruse, Bulgaria, and relocated to Russia with his family as an infant. He holds dual citizenship of Bulgaria and Russia, a status that has allowed him to represent his background on multiple continents.
Personal Life
Georgiev maintains a relatively private personal life and is active on Instagram under the handle @aghockey, where he shares insights from his professional journey. Beyond that, few verified personal details are publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year was one of the most eventful of Georgiev’s career. After being traded from the Avalanche to the San Jose Sharks in December 2024, he signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres in September 2025, only to be placed on waivers for contract termination in late November. Within two days, he had signed a two-year contract with Spartak Moscow of the KHL, beginning a new chapter in his homeland.
The transition back to Russian hockey marks his first professional stint in his birth country. Spartak Moscow, one of the KHL’s flagship clubs, offers Georgiev a chance to reclaim a starting role and steady his career after a turbulent stretch of transactions in North America.
Looking ahead, Georgiev’s two-year KHL deal is scheduled to run through 2027, giving him long-term stability in a familiar hockey culture. With the regular grind of NHL travel behind him, he can focus on sharpening his game and helping Spartak contend for Gagarin Cup contention.