Alex Galchenyuk
American center drafted third overall by Montreal in 2012.
Alexander Alexandrovich Galchenyuk (born February 12, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays center for HC Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected third overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL entry draft and has also played for the Arizona Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Colorado Avalanche. Galchenyuk is of Belarusian descent, was born in the United States, and has represented the United States internationally; as of 2025, he has acquired Russian citizenship.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1994-02-12
- Birth Place
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 1
- Weight Lb
- 207
- Position
- Center
- Shoots
- Left
- League
- KHL
- Team
- Spartak Moscow
- Former Teams
- Montreal Canadiens / Arizona Coyotes / Pittsburgh Penguins / Minnesota Wild / Ottawa Senators / Toronto Maple Leafs / Colorado Avalanche / SKA Saint Petersburg / Amur Khabarovsk
- Ntl Team
- USA
- Draft
- 3rd overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Galchenyuk played his final year of minor hockey with the U16 Chicago Young Americans, tallying 44 goals and 43 assists. His coach, Bruno Bragagnolo, described the odds of having another player like him as akin to winning a lottery ticket. He was drafted first overall in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection Draft by the Sarnia Sting and also selected 25th overall in the 2011 KHL Junior Draft by Atlant Moscow Oblast, a selection that displeased his father, Alexander Galchenyuk, who had hoped he would be drafted in the first round by Dinamo Minsk. In his first OHL season, Galchenyuk recorded 31 goals and 52 assists for 83 points, earning a spot on the OHL 1st All-Rookie team alongside Nail Yakupov. The following year, he missed all but two regular-season games and six playoff games due to a knee injury.
Reader's Guide
Galchenyuk's NHL career began with the Montreal Canadiens, where he made the roster for the 2012–13 season opener as the youngest player to play a full season with the team since 1984. He finished his rookie season with 9 goals and 18 assists in 48 games, finishing sixth in rookie points. Over six seasons with Montreal, he scored his first career hat-trick in December 2014, recorded his first 20-goal campaign in 2014–15, and tied for the team lead with 30 goals in 2015–16. He was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in June 2018 for Max Domi, playing 72 games with 19 goals and 22 assists. Subsequent trades sent him to Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and then Ottawa, where he signed as a free agent. After brief stints with Carolina and Toronto, he returned to Arizona on a professional tryout in September 2021, later signing a one-year contract. He later joined the Colorado Avalanche organization via a PTO and AHL contract before being traded to Nashville in June 2023. He signed a one-year, two-way contract to return to the Coyotes in July 2023, but was placed on unconditional waivers for contract termination on July 13, 2023, with the NHLPA conducting an investigation.
Did You Know?
- Galchenyuk was selected third overall in the 2012 NHL entry draft by the Montreal Canadiens.
- He scored his first NHL goal on January 22, 2013, against Scott Clemmensen of the Florida Panthers.
- In the 2015–16 season, he tied Max Pacioretty with 30 goals to lead the Montreal Canadiens.
- He was traded from the Canadiens to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Max Domi on June 15, 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alex Galchenyuk?
Alex Galchenyuk is an American center of Belarusian heritage, born on February 12, 1994, who was taken third overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL entry draft. He went on to suit up for seven different NHL franchises before eventually moving to the KHL.
What role does Alex Galchenyuk fill on the ice?
Galchenyuk plays center and is known as an offensive-minded forward who brings speed, physicality, and playmaking ability to the top of the lineup. His game blends aggressive forechecking with the ability to generate scoring chances in the offensive zone.
When did Alex Galchenyuk suit up for the Arizona Coyotes?
The Coyotes were one of the seven NHL clubs Galchenyuk represented during his career, fitting between his Montreal and Pittsburgh stints. His time in Arizona was part of a broader pattern of him seeking a larger role after his initial years in Montreal.
What are Alex Galchenyuk's standout career moments?
He notched his first NHL goal on January 22, 2013, and scored his first career hat-trick on December 16, 2014, against the Carolina Hurricanes. His best scoring season came in 2015–16, when he tallied 30 goals to share the team lead with Max Pacioretty.
Where is Alex Galchenyuk playing now?
As of 2025, Galchenyuk is a center for HC Spartak Moscow in the Kontinental Hockey League. He has also acquired Russian citizenship, marking a significant shift in his personal and professional life after his NHL career.
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