Alexander Holtz Bio
Alexander Gabriel Holtz is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who plays the forward position for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected seventh overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2020 NHL entry draft. Holtz was born on 23 January 2002, in Stockholm, Sweden, where he began his hockey career at a young age. After developing through the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL), he moved to the Golden Knights in June 2024.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Gabriel Holtz was born in Stockholm on 23 January 2002. His father, Magnus Holtz, is a former ice hockey player who spent two seasons with Västerviks IK. Holtz also has an older brother, David, who also played hockey, and the two brothers trained together during childhood. Their father coached at Nacka HK during the early stages of the youngster’s development, giving the family a strong connection to the game.
As a child, Holtz played several sports, including football, tennis, golf, and basketball, before committing to hockey. He started his organized career at Boo IF, then moved to the youth program of Nacka/Farsta FoC. During the 2014–15 season, he debuted at age 13 in the U16 division 1 team, where he impressed with his scoring rate. Promoted to the J18 Elit team for the 2016–17 season, he averaged nearly two points per game despite being two years younger than most opponents.
In 2017, Holtz was selected for the Stockholm South team at TV-pucken, Sweden’s national junior hockey tournament. He produced 6 goals and 10 points in 6 games and earned the Sven Tumba award as the best forward of the tournament. That performance helped establish him as one of Sweden’s most promising young forwards.
Path to Hockey
Holtz joined Djurgårdens IF for the 2017–18 season to compete in the club’s junior programs. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his professional SHL debut on 29 January 2019, in a home game against Färjestad BK, becoming one of the youngest players in league history. That same season, he finished as the top goal scorer in the J20 SuperElit with 30 goals in 38 games, leading Djurgården to a third-place finish in the J20 playoffs.
The 2019–20 campaign brought Holtz into the SHL spotlight. He opened with a two-goal performance in the Champions Hockey League against GKS Tychy and recorded his first SHL point on 14 September 2019. He scored his first two SHL goals three days later against Växjö Lakers. Djurgårdens IF rewarded his progress with a two-year contract extension in September 2019, tying him to the club through the 2021–22 season.
In his first full SHL season in 2020–21, Holtz played a career-high 40 regular-season games, recording 7 goals and 11 assists for 18 points. He also co-led Djurgården in postseason scoring with 4 points in 3 games. On 19 April 2021, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils, along with an amateur tryout agreement with their AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Devils, officially beginning his North American career.
Alexander Holtz Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Holtz’s first two full professional seasons were spent entirely with Djurgårdens IF, where he served as one of the SHL’s top young forwards. He showed steady growth from a part-time rookie in 2018–19 to a full-time contributor in 2020–21. His combination of scoring touch and composure impressed scouts across the league, helping him secure a top-ten selection in the 2020 NHL draft.
During the 2019–20 season, he extended his contract with Djurgården and consistently produced in both the SHL and the Champions Hockey League. By the end of 2020–21, he had proven himself ready for North American hockey, leading the Devils to invest a top-ten pick and a three-year entry-level contract in his development.
New Jersey Devils Era (2021–2024)
Holtz relocated to North America for the 2021–22 season and was assigned to the AHL’s Utica Comets, where he emerged as one of the top rookie scorers with 26 goals and 51 points in 52 games. During a brief recall, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist, on a goal by Pavel Zacha against the Florida Panthers on 9 November 2021.
The 2022–23 season brought Holtz his first extended NHL look. He made the Devils’ opening-night roster and scored his first NHL goal, the team’s first goal of the season, on 13 October 2022 against the Philadelphia Flyers. On 4 January 2023, he notched his first multi-point NHL game with a goal and an assist against the Detroit Red Wings, appearing in his 25th career NHL contest. He split the year between New Jersey and Utica, playing 19 games with the Devils and 14 with the Comets.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2024–Present)
On 29 June 2024, during the 2024 NHL entry draft, the Devils traded Holtz and goaltender Akira Schmid to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Paul Cotter and a 2025 third-round pick. Holtz made an immediate impact with his new club, scoring his first Vegas goal on 22 October 2024 in a 6–1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
Following the 2024–25 season, Holtz entered restricted free agency and was unable to reach a new deal with Vegas before the start of training camp. He signed a professional tryout agreement on 18 September 2025 to participate in camp while negotiations continued. On 7 October 2025, he and the Golden Knights agreed on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $837,500, locking him in through the 2026–27 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Holtz is recognized for his elite shot, deceptive release, and offensive instincts around the net. He processes the game quickly, often making smart plays in tight spaces along the boards and in the offensive zone. His work ethic and willingness to adapt have allowed him to grow into a reliable top-six forward at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones include his SHL debut with Djurgårdens IF in January 2019, his first NHL goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in October 2022, and his first Vegas goal against the Los Angeles Kings in October 2024. The Sven Tumba award at TV-pucken in 2017 also marked an early signal of his scoring potential.
Alexander Holtz Career Wins
Throughout his development, Alexander Gabriel Holtz has earned recognition at nearly every level he has played, from Swedish youth hockey to the NHL. While championship totals vary across leagues, his consistent scoring and ability to produce in key moments have established him as a proven offensive contributor. The following sections summarize his verified performance highlights.
SHL Highlights
In the SHL with Djurgårdens IF, Holtz made 40 regular-season appearances during the 2020–21 campaign, registering 7 goals and 11 assists for 18 points. He first broke into the league with his debut in January 2019 and scored his first SHL goal against Växjö Lakers goaltender Viktor Fasth in September 2019. He also opened his Champions Hockey League career with a two-goal performance against GKS Tychy.
Other Wins & Performances
During his time in the J20 SuperElit, Holtz led Djurgården in goal scoring with 30 goals in 38 games. In the AHL with the Utica Comets, he ranked among the top rookie scorers with 26 goals and 51 points in 52 games. At the international junior level, he earned the Sven Tumba award as the best forward of TV-pucken 2017 after posting 6 goals and 10 points in 6 games.
Alexander Holtz Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Holtz comes from a hockey family. His father, Magnus Holtz, is a former ice hockey player who spent two seasons playing for Västerviks IK. Magnus later transitioned into coaching, serving as the coach of Nacka HK while his sons were developing in the Stockholm area. Holtz also has an older brother, David, who also played competitive hockey and helped pave the way for Alexander’s introduction to the sport.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Stockholm, Holtz remains closely tied to his Swedish roots and family. He grew up sharing the ice with his older brother and continues to credit his parents for supporting his development as a young athlete. Holtz currently resides in North America following his trade to the Vegas Golden Knights in June 2024.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NHL season represents a fresh start for Alexander Gabriel Holtz with the Vegas Golden Knights. After being traded from the New Jersey Devils in June 2024, Holtz opened his Vegas tenure with a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in October 2024 and continued to build chemistry with his new teammates. The Golden Knights have continued to develop his offensive game within their forward group.
Holtz’s restricted free agency status became a key storyline during the 2025 offseason. Unable to reach an agreement before training camp, he signed a professional tryout agreement on 18 September 2025. The two sides finalized a two-year contract with an average annual value of $837,500 on 7 October 2025, ending the uncertainty and allowing him to focus on the season ahead.
Looking ahead, Holtz is expected to play a key depth-scoring role for the Golden Knights as they pursue another deep playoff run. His shot, vision, and growing experience in the Vegas system make him a valuable asset in the team’s forward rotation. Continued production and consistency will be central to his long-term outlook with the organization.