Alexander Alexeyev (ice hockey)

Lore & Background

Alexeyev began his North American career with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) after being selected in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. In his first season (2016–17), he was the most productive rookie on the team before an upper body injury in October sidelined him for nearly a month; he later suffered another injury in January and missed the remainder of the season. During his recovery, he graduated from high school and worked on his English. He returned for 2017–18 but missed time due to personal matters and a shoulder injury, and later missed three weeks after his mother's death. Despite these interruptions, he finished that season with seven goals and 30 assists in 45 games.

Leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Alexeyev was ranked 30th among eligible players by The Sports Network and 22nd by NHL Central Scouting Bureau. He drew comparisons to Jonas Brodin and was described as a 'smart, effective defenceman who moves the puck, plays with a calm and doesn't make things complicated for himself.' The Washington Capitals selected him 31st overall, the final pick of the first round, and signed him to a three-year entry-level contract on 24 September 2018. He returned to the Rebels for the 2018–19 season, where he recorded eight points in four games early on and was named WHL On the Run Player of the Week. He was selected for Team Russia in the 2018 CHL Canada/Russia Series after tallying 20 points through 15 games. His major junior career ended after a knee-on-knee collision that required him to be stretchered off the ice.

Alexeyev turned professional with the Hershey Bears in the AHL for the 2019–20 season, scoring his first professional goal in his AHL debut. He finished his rookie season with 3 goals and 21 points in 58 games, ranking third among Hershey defensemen and 12th among all AHL rookie defensemen in points. With the 2020–21 season delayed by the pandemic, he was loaned to KHL club Salavat Yulaev Ufa. He made his NHL debut on 29 December 2021 in a 5–3 win over the Nashville Predators. After six seasons within the Capitals organization, he signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on 2 July 2025.

Reader's Guide

Alexander Alexeyev's significance lies in his journey as a first-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals who overcame multiple injuries and personal adversity to reach the NHL. Drafted 31st overall in 2018, he was the final selection of the first round and was noted for his calm, effective defensive play. His WHL career with the Red Deer Rebels was marked by interruptions—an upper body injury, a shoulder injury, his mother's death, and a knee-on-knee collision that ended his major junior career—yet he still produced 101 points in 135 games. His professional development included a rookie AHL season with the Hershey Bears where he ranked among the top rookie defensemen in points, and a loan to the KHL during the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season. He made his NHL debut with the Capitals in December 2021. After six seasons in the Washington organization, he moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization on a one-year contract in July 2025. His career illustrates the challenges of maintaining development through significant health and personal setbacks while progressing from a top prospect to an NHL player.

Did You Know?

• Alexeyev was drafted 31st overall by the Washington Capitals in 2018, the final pick of the first round.
• He missed nearly a month of games in his first WHL season due to an upper body injury, then missed the remainder of the season after a second injury in January.
• He was stretchered off the ice after a knee-on-knee collision during the 2018–19 WHL season, ending his major junior career.