Alex Stalock

Alexander Stalock (born July 28, 1987) is an American sports commentator and former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played parts of eleven seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, and Chicago Blackhawks.

After retiring, he became a sports color commentator for the San Jose Sharks.

Before playing in the NHL, Stalock played two seasons with Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and three years with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). During his time with the RoughRiders, Stalock helped the team win the Clark Cup and was named as both the USHL Playoff MVP and USHL Goaltender of the Year.^[1][2] During his time with the Bulldogs, Stalock helped the team reach the Final Five championship.^[3] He was also named to the 2007 WCHA All-Rookie Team, and to the 2009 NCAA West First All-American Team and WCHA First All-Star Team.^[4][5][6]

He was drafted 112th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2005 NHL entry draft. He spent two seasons playing for San Jose's AHL-affiliate Worcester Sharks. During his time in Worcester, he set an AHL record for wins by a rookie with 39.^[7]

On February 1, 2011, the Sharks called Stalock up and he made his NHL debut in a 5–3 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes, earning his first NHL win in the process.^[8] After the game, he was sent back down to the AHL. He suffered a season-ending injury after Dwight King stepped on his knee and sliced his nerve.^[9] On July 10, 2013, Stalock signed a one-year contract to remain with the Sharks.^[10] On October 27, Stalock made his first career NHL start in a 5–2 win against the Ottawa Senators.^[11] On January 16, 2014, Stalock recorded his first NHL shutout in a 3–0 win against the Florida Panthers.^[12]

On February 27, 2016, the Sharks traded Stalock along with Ben Smith and a 2018 conditional fourth-round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for James Reimer and Jeremy Morin.^[13] He never played a game with them and was immediately waived, sending him down to play for their AHL-affiliate Toronto Marlies.^[14] He played 3 games with them.

On July 1, 2016, Stalock signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild.^[15] He spent the season playing for their AHL-affiliate Iowa Wild. On February 2, 2017, Stalock signed a two-year, $1.3 million extension to stay with the Wild.^[16] On December 6, 2018, he played in a 2–0 loss to the Calgary Flames, it was his 100th game in the NHL.^[17] On January 29, 2019, he signed a three-year, $2.355 million extension to stay with the Wild.^[18]

On March 1, 2021, Stalock was picked up off waiver by the Edmonton Oilers.^[19] He did not play for the team because he was out with myocarditis after contracting COVID-19.^[20]

On March 2, 2022, the Oilers traded Stalock to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for future considerations.^[21] He only played one game with the Sharks before being sent down to their AHL-affiliate, San Jose Barracuda.^[22]

On July 13, 2022, Stalock signed a one-year contract to join the Chicago Blackhawks.^[23] He played 27 games with them and was a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.^[24]

On August 7, 2023, Stalock signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Anaheim Ducks but never played a game with them.^[25]

In 2024, Stalock announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey and joining the San Jose Sharks as a radio color commentator.^[26]

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database