Alex Stalock

Lore & Background

Stalock played high school hockey for the South St. Paul Packers, helping them to the state tournament in 2004. He then played two seasons with Cedar Rapids of the USHL, winning the Clark Cup and being named USHL Playoff MVP in 2005 and USHL Goaltender of the Year in 2006. He attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he played three seasons with the Bulldogs and was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2007 and the NCAA West First All-American Team and WCHA First All-Star Team in 2009.

Professional career

Drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 2005, Stalock began his professional career with the Worcester Sharks in the AHL, setting a rookie record for wins (39) and being named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. He made his NHL debut in relief on February 1, 2011, earning a win.

Later that month, he suffered a sliced nerve behind his knee after being stepped on by a skate, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. After surgery and rehabilitation, he returned in 2012. He became the Sharks' backup in 2013–14 and set a franchise record for longest shutout streak (178:55).

Stalock signed with the Minnesota Wild as a free agent in 2016. He spent his first season with the AHL affiliate Iowa Wild before becoming Devan Dubnyk's backup. He earned his first shutout with the Wild against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 14, 2017. In the 2019–20 season, he was promoted to starter after Dubnyk struggled and started every game for the Wild in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Qualifiers Round, earning his first playoff win.

He was later claimed by the Edmonton Oilers in 2021 but missed the entire season due to myocarditis after contracting COVID-19. He returned to play with the Oilers' AHL affiliate before being traded back to the Sharks in 2022. He signed with the Chicago Blackhawks for the 2022–23 season, where he was a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and became the first goalie since 1934–35 to stop a penalty shot in three consecutive games.

Reader's Guide

Stalock's significance lies in his perseverance through severe injuries and illness. After a promising start with the Sharks, a skate cut that sliced a nerve behind his knee threatened his career, but he returned after months of rehabilitation. He later missed an entire season due to myocarditis after contracting COVID-19, yet returned to play and was named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy with the Chicago Blackhawks.

His time with the Minnesota Wild saw him serve as a reliable backup and occasional starter, including starting every game of the 2020 playoff qualifiers. He also achieved a rare feat with the Blackhawks, stopping penalty shots in three consecutive games, a mark not seen since the 1934–35 season. After retiring, he transitioned to broadcasting, first as a radio color commentator for the Sharks and later joining FanDuel Sports Network's coverage of the Minnesota Wild for select games in the 2025–26 season, maintaining his connection to the state where he was born and played high school hockey.