Alex Nedeljkovic

Lore & Background

Nedeljkovic grew up in Cleveland and played for the Cleveland Junior Barons bantam AAA team, participating in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. He began his major junior career in 2012 with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), winning the F. W. 'Dinty' Moore Trophy as a rookie and being named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team. He was selected for the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game and the 2014 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. After being drafted by Carolina, he signed a three-year entry-level contract in March 2015 and made his professional debut with the ECHL's Florida Everblades.

During his final junior season, he was traded from the Flint Firebirds to the Niagara IceDogs. In his rookie professional season (2016–17), he became the 12th ECHL goaltender to score a goal while playing for the Everblades. The following season, while with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL, he became the 13th goaltender in AHL history to score a goal. He made his first NHL start and earned his first win in January 2019.

In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, he broke out with the Hurricanes, posting a 15–5–3 record, a 1.90 goals-against average, and a .932 save percentage, leading all NHL goaltenders with at least 20 games. He recorded his first NHL shutout in February 2021, was named NHL Rookie of the Month for March, and tied for the rookie lead in shutouts with three. He earned his first Stanley Cup playoffs win and shutout in May 2021, finishing fourth in Calder Memorial Trophy voting (third place) and being named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Unable to agree on a new contract with Carolina, he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in July 2021 and signed a two-year, $6 million contract.

After a strong start with Detroit, he struggled in early 2022 and accidentally scored an own goal in March 2022. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2023. During a rehab stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he scored his second AHL goal, becoming the first goaltender in AHL history with two or more career goals. The Penguins re-signed him to a two-year, $5 million extension in June 2024.

On January 17, 2025, he scored his first NHL goal, becoming the 16th NHL goaltender to do so and the first to score a goal and record an assist in the same game. He was traded to the San Jose Sharks on July 1, 2025. In January 2026, he fought Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, the first NHL goaltender fight since 2020. He signed a two-year contract extension with San Jose in March 2026.

Reader's Guide

Nedeljkovic's significance lies in his unique scoring achievements as a goaltender. He is the only goaltender in professional hockey history to score a goal in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL, and the first goaltender to score a goal and record an assist in the same NHL game. His 2020–21 season with the Carolina Hurricanes was a breakout campaign, where he led all NHL goaltenders (minimum 20 games) in goals-against average and save percentage, earned a Calder Memorial Trophy nomination, and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

His ability to contribute offensively, combined with his strong play during that season, established him as a notable figure in goaltending history. His trade to the Detroit Red Wings and subsequent signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins continued his career, and his goal-scoring milestones with the Penguins further cemented his legacy. His later trade to the San Jose Sharks and his involvement in a rare goaltender fight in 2026 added to his reputation as an unconventional and memorable player.