Alexander Nedeljkovic Bio
Alexander Nedeljkovic is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the San Jose Sharks in the National Hockey League. Born on January 7, 1996, in Parma, Ohio, Nedeljkovic was selected 37th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He has built a distinguished career across multiple levels of professional hockey, becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to score a goal and record an assist in the same game while also being the only netminder to score at the NHL, AHL, and ECHL levels. Nedeljkovic earned recognition on the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2021 and continues to be a notable presence in professional hockey.
Early Life and Background
Nedeljkovic grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, as the oldest of four children with one younger brother and two younger sisters. His family has Serbian heritage, with his grandparents originating from a village near the town of Ljubovija, Serbia. The back plate of his goaltender mask features a Serbian cross, representing both his cultural roots and his Orthodox faith. His mother works as a nurse, and Nedeljkovic has noted uncertainty about his father’s profession. He began his hockey journey playing for the Cleveland Junior Barons bantam AAA team, including participation in the 2009 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.
Path to Professional Hockey
Nedeljkovic began his major junior career in 2012 when he joined the Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League. In his rookie season, he posted an impressive 2.28 goals against average, earning him the F. W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy as the OHL’s top rookie goaltender. He was also named to the 2012-13 OHL First All-Rookie Team. The following seasons saw him continue developing his craft, earning invitations to prestigious events including the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game and the 2014 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, solidifying his status as a top draft prospect.
Alexander Nedeljkovic Career
Early Professional Career (2015-2019)
At the conclusion of the 2014-15 season with the Plymouth Whalers, Nedeljkovic signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on March 27, 2015. He was assigned to the ECHL affiliate, the Florida Everblades, to begin his professional career. During the 2016-17 season, while playing for the Everblades, Nedeljkovic achieved a historic milestone on December 30, 2016, becoming just the 12th ECHL goaltender to score a goal. He made his NHL debut in relief on January 17, 2017, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Throughout the 2017-18 season with the Charlotte Checkers, Nedeljkovic continued to make history. On March 10, 2018, during a game against the Hartford Wolf Pack, he became the 13th goaltender in American Hockey League history to score a goal. His strong performances eventually earned him a recall to the NHL on January 17, 2019. On January 23, 2019, against the Vancouver Canucks, he made his first NHL start and secured his first career NHL victory by making 24 saves on 26 shots.
Carolina Hurricanes Breakthrough (2019-2021)
Nedeljkovic signed a two-year contract extension with the Hurricanes on June 28, 2019. The pandemic-delayed 2020-21 season marked his true breakthrough at the NHL level. On February 20, 2021, he recorded his first career NHL shutout in a 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was named NHL Rookie of the Month for March 2021 and finished the regular season with a remarkable 15-5-3 record in 23 games, leading the division-winning Hurricanes.
His statistical performance ranked among the league’s best, as he tied for the NHL rookie lead in shutouts with three and led all goaltenders with at least 20 games played with a 1.90 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. In the Stanley Cup playoffs, Nedeljkovic earned his first playoff win on May 17, 2021, against the Nashville Predators, followed by his first playoff shutout two days later. Though the Hurricanes were eliminated in the second round, Nedeljkovic finished third in Calder Memorial Trophy voting and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2021-2023)
Unable to reach a contract agreement with Carolina as a restricted free agent, Nedeljkovic was traded to the Detroit Red Wings on July 22, 2021, in exchange for Jonathan Bernier and a third-round draft pick. He immediately signed a two-year, $6 million contract with Detroit. He recorded his first shutout as a Red Wing on January 15, 2022, against the Buffalo Sabres, with several family members present at Little Caesars Arena. Despite a strong start to the season, Nedeljkovic experienced struggles in the new year, posting difficult numbers through early March 2022.
Pittsburgh Penguins Tenure (2023-2025)
On July 1, 2023, Nedeljkovic signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. While on a rehab assignment with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on November 17, he scored his second career AHL goal, becoming the first goaltender in AHL history to score two or more career goals. On June 20, 2024, the Penguins re-signed him to a two-year, $5 million contract extension.
On January 17, 2025, Nedeljkovic achieved a historic milestone by scoring his first career NHL goal in a 5-2 victory against the Buffalo Sabres. He became the 16th NHL goaltender to score a goal, but more remarkably, he also recorded an assist in the same game, making him the first goaltender in NHL history to accomplish this feat. This achievement cemented his status as the only goaltender to have scored goals at the NHL, AHL, and ECHL levels.
San Jose Sharks Era (2025-Present)
Nedeljkovic was traded to the San Jose Sharks on July 1, 2025, in exchange for a 2028 third-round draft pick. He signed a two-year contract extension worth $5 million annually through the 2025-26 season. During a game against the Florida Panthers on January 19, 2026, Nedeljkovic engaged in a fight with Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky following a hit on Vincent Desharnais, marking the first NHL goaltender fight since 2020.
Playing Style and Strengths
Nedeljkovic is known for his quick reflexes and competitive fire between the pipes. His ability to handle the puck and contribute offensively sets him apart from traditional goaltenders, as evidenced by his unique scoring achievements across multiple professional leagues. He catches left and has demonstrated the capacity to steal games with clutch performances, particularly during his breakout 2020-21 season with Carolina.
Notable Milestones
Throughout his career, Nedeljkovic has accumulated several historic firsts and milestones. His most significant achievement remains becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to score a goal and record an assist in a single game. He is also the only netminder to have scored at all three professional levels: NHL, AHL, and ECHL. His rookie season statistics ranked among the best in recent NHL history, and his Calder Trophy finalist selection highlighted his immediate impact at the highest level.
Alexander Nedeljkovic Career Wins
Across his professional career spanning from 2015 to present, Nedeljkovic has accumulated wins at the ECHL, AHL, and NHL levels. His most productive NHL season came in 2020-21 with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he posted a 15-5-3 record. He has recorded multiple shutouts at each professional level and achieved several historic firsts as a scoring goaltender.
NHL Highlights
At the NHL level, Nedeljkovic has recorded multiple wins including his first career victory on January 23, 2019, against the Vancouver Canucks with 24 saves. His first shutout came on February 20, 2021, against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 4-0 blanking. He earned his first Stanley Cup playoff win on May 17, 2021, and his first playoff shutout on May 19, 2021, both against the Nashville Predators. His most recent milestone came on January 17, 2025, when he scored his first NHL goal in a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres while also recording an assist.
Minor League Achievements
Nedeljkovic has established himself as a prolific scoring goaltender in the minor leagues. In the ECHL, he became the 12th goaltender in league history to score a goal on December 30, 2016. In the AHL, he became the 13th goaltender to score a goal on March 10, 2018, and later became the first in league history to score two career goals on November 17, 2023. These achievements highlight his unique skill set and ability to contribute beyond traditional goaltending duties.
Alexander Nedeljkovic Family
Family Background and Heritage
Nedeljkovic comes from a family of Serbian descent, with strong ties to his heritage through his grandparents who hail from a village near Ljubovija, Serbia. His Orthodox faith is represented through the Serbian cross on his goaltender mask. He is the oldest of four siblings, growing up alongside one younger brother and two younger sisters in the Cleveland area.
Personal Life
Nedeljkovic is married to his wife, Emma, who is a nurse. The couple met during his time playing for the Niagara IceDogs in the Ontario Hockey League. They welcomed their first child, a son, in early 2024. Outside of hockey, Nedeljkovic has expressed interest in obtaining his pilot’s license after experiencing a flight with the Blue Angels during the summer of 2022 while playing for the Detroit Red Wings.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season marked a significant chapter in Nedeljkovic’s career as he split time between the Pittsburgh Penguins and eventually joined the San Jose Sharks. While with Pittsburgh, he achieved his most celebrated NHL milestone by becoming the first goaltender in league history to score both a goal and an assist in the same game. This historic achievement occurred on January 17, 2025, during a 5-2 victory against the Buffalo Sabres, where he also became the 16th NHL goaltender to score a goal. The performance solidified his unique place in hockey history as the only netminder to have scored at all three professional levels.
Following the milestone, Nedeljkovic continued his strong play before being traded to the San Jose Sharks on July 1, 2025. The Sharks acquired him in exchange for a 2028 third-round draft pick, signaling their confidence in his abilities as a starting or tandem goaltender. He signed a two-year extension worth $5 million annually, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to his future with the franchise as they rebuild their roster around emerging talent.
During the 2025-26 season, Nedeljkovic has embraced his role with the developing Sharks squad, bringing his veteran experience and unique skill set to a young team. His puck-handling abilities and comfort playing the puck have proven valuable in the modern game where goaltenders are increasingly expected to contribute to offensive zone exits and transitions. Beyond his technical contributions, his competitive nature was on full display during a January 2026 game against the Florida Panthers when he dropped the gloves with Sergei Bobrovsky, the first goaltender fight in the NHL since 2020.