Alex Stalock

Alex Stalock
Stalock with the Worcester Sharks in 2012
Born (1987-07-28) July 28, 1987 (age 37)
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for San Jose Sharks
Minnesota Wild
Chicago Blackhawks
NHL draft 112th overall, 2005
San Jose Sharks
Playing career 2009–2024

Alexander Stalock (/ˈsteɪˌlɒk/ STAY-lok;[1] born July 28, 1987) is an American sports commentator and former professional ice hockey goaltender. Stalock was originally drafted 112th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks, and also played for the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks. Following his playing career, Stalock began a broadcasting career with the Sharks as a radio color commentator.

Playing career

[edit]

Stalock was born in Saint Paul and played high school hockey for the South St. Paul, Minnesota Packers. He helped the Packers to an appearance in the state tournament in 2004, the team's first since 1996. Following that season, Stalock joined Cedar Rapids of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for two seasons. Stalock was named the 2005 USHL Playoff MVP as Cedar Rapids went on to win the Clark Cup. In 2006, he was named USHL Goaltender of the Year.[2] He then attended University of Minnesota Duluth, where he played college hockey with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs for three years. In his first season with the Bulldogs, he was key to the team's appearance in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA)'s Final Five championship.[3] Stalock was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2007 and the NCAA West First All-American Team and the WCHA First All-Star Team in 2009.[2]

Professional career

[edit]

Stalock was drafted by the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the fourth round, 112th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.[3] He played his first professional season with the Sharks American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Worcester Sharks in the 2009–10 season, appearing in 61 games. He set a new AHL record for wins by a rookie (39) [4] He was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team and represented Worcester at the AHL All-Star Classic.[5] On February 1, 2011, he made his NHL debut in relief of Antti Niemi. Playing 29 minutes and 47 seconds, Stalock allowed no goals on nine shots to record his first NHL win in a 5–3 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.[6] Shortly after his debut he was reassigned to Worcester. In a game against the Manchester Monarchs on February 4, he suffered a sliced nerve behind his knee after being stepped on by the skate of Manchester's Dwight King, sidelining him for the remainder of the 2010–11 season. Afterwards, he had surgery to repair the nerve and went through many months of rehabilitation. Stalock was sidelined until January 21, 2012, when he started in goal for San Jose's ECHL affiliate, the Stockton Thunder. After six games in Stockton, Stalock was called up to Worcester. He was re-assigned on loan to the Peoria Rivermen, the AHL affiliate of the St. Louis Blues which had need of a goaltender after theirs had been traded to the Ottawa Senators. While with Peoria, he suffered a broken finger during practice.[4]

On July 10, 2013, the Sharks re-signed Stalock to a one-year contract. In September 2013, Stalock was selected as the San Jose Sharks backup goaltender for the 2013–14 season.[7] Stalock made his first NHL start on October 27, saving 38 shots in a 5–2 victory against the Ottawa Senators.[8] On January 16, 2014, Stalock recorded his first shutout in a 3–0 win over the Florida Panthers.[9] Against the Los Angeles Kings on January 27, Stalock passed Evgeni Nabokov for the Sharks' longest streak without allowing a goal with 178:55, 7:37 longer than Nabokov's highest.[10] Stalock made his first career playoff start against the Los Angeles Kings on April 28, 2014.[11]

In the 2015–16 season, on February 27, 2016, Stalock's tenure with the Sharks came to an end when he was traded, along with Ben Smith and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2018 to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for James Reimer and Jeremy Morin.[12] Stalock was placed on waivers the following day by the Maple Leafs and upon clearing was assigned to the AHL with affiliate, the Toronto Marlies on February 29, 2016.[13][14]

Stalock left the Maple Leafs organization as an unrestricted free agent in the off-season and on July 1, 2016, signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild.[15] He spent the entire season with Minnesota's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. On February 2, 2017, the Wild signed Stalock to a two-year, $1.3 million extension. The contract allowed the Wild to protect starter Devan Dubnyk and expose Stalock in the 2017 NHL expansion draft.[16] Stalock was not selected by the Vegas Golden Knights and remained with the Wild.[17] Stalock made his Wild debut on March 31, 2017 in a 5–1 win over the Ottawa Senators.[18] The following season he was made Dubnyk's backup with the departure of Darcy Kuemper. He earned his first shutout with the Wild, and in three seasons, against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, on December 14, 2017.[16][19] On December 6, 2018, Stalock appeared in his 100th game, a 2–0 loss to the Calgary Flames.[2][20] On January 29, 2019, the Wild signed Stalock, to a three-year, $2.355 million extension.[2] Stalock started the 2019–20 season as Dubnyk's backup again, but after Dubnyk struggled, Stalock was promoted to the starting goaltender in January. The season was disrupted by the pandemic when the NHL paused it on March 12. He started every game for the Wild in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Qualifiers Round that took place in Edmonton, Alberta. He earned his first playoff win in the first game of the series versus the Vancouver Canucks.[21] However, the Canucks won the next three games, eliminating the Wild.[22]

Rehabilitating an injury leading into the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Stalock was placed on waivers by the Wild and later claimed by the Edmonton Oilers on March 1, 2021.[23] He missed the entirety of the season through myocarditis, after complications from COVID-19.[24] Returning to play in the 2021–22 season, Stalock was assigned to the Oilers' AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. He recorded three wins in five appearances before he was traded by the Oilers for future considerations in a return to his original club, the San Jose Sharks, on March 2, 2022.[25] He appeared in one game with the Sharks, spending the rest of the season with the Sharks' AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.[26]

On July 13, 2022, Stalock signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.[26] Stalock ultimately played 27 games during the season, starting 24, with a 9–15–2 record and a .908 save percentage. He was named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded to "the NHL player voted to best exemplify the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."[24] With Chicago, Stalock became the first goalie since the 1934–35 NHL season to stop a penalty shot in three consecutive games.[5]

On August 7, 2023, Stalock signed as a free agent to a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Anaheim Ducks.[5] Stalock was assigned to the Ducks AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, for the 2023–24 season.[27][28]

Retirement

[edit]

In mid-2024 Stalock retired from hockey, and re-joined the San Jose Sharks organization as a color commentator on radio broadcasts.[28]

Career statistics

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2003–04 South Saint Paul MNHS 31 23 7 1 1581 42 6 2.20 .924 — — — — — — — —
2003–04 U.S. National Development Team NAHL 2 — — — — — — 4.50 .872 — — — — — — — —
2004–05 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 32 19 9 1 1801 82 1 2.73 .905 9 7 2 582 14 1 1.44 .950
2005–06 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL 44 28 13 3 2641 112 4 2.54 .931 8 3 5 472 25 0 3.18 .918
2006–07 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 23 5 14 3 1364 76 1 3.34 .881 — — — — — — — —
2007–08 University of Minnesota-Duluth WHCA 36 13 17 6 2170 85 3 2.35 .914 — — — — — — — —
2008–09 University of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 42 21 13 8 2534 90 5 2.13 .924 — — — — — — — —
2009–10 Worcester Sharks AHL 61 39 19 2 3534 155 4 2.63 .908 11 6 5 683 26 0 2.28 .919
2010–11 Worcester Sharks AHL 41 19 17 4 2397 105 0 2.63 .907 — — — — — — — —
2010–11 San Jose Sharks NHL 1 1 0 0 30 0 0 0.00 1.000 — — — — — — — —
2011–12 Stockton Thunder ECHL 6 5 1 0 360 17 0 2.83 .914 — — — — — — — —
2011–12 Worcester Sharks AHL 2 1 1 0 119 5 0 2.51 .909 — — — — — — — —
2011–12 Peoria Rivermen AHL 3 2 0 0 106 2 1 1.13 .964 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 Worcester Sharks AHL 38 17 16 4 2281 99 2 2.60 .912 — — — — — — — —
2012–13 San Jose Sharks NHL 2 0 0 1 42 2 0 2.86 .846 — — — — — — — —
2013–14 San Jose Sharks NHL 24 12 5 2 1251 39 2 1.87 .932 3 0 1 117 4 0 2.05 .929
2014–15 San Jose Sharks NHL 22 8 9 2 1236 54 2 2.62 .902 — — — — — — — —
2015–16 San Jose Sharks NHL 13 3 5 2 670 33 0 2.94 .884 — — — — — — — —
2015–16 San Jose Barracuda AHL 2 2 0 0 122 4 0 1.96 .930 — — — — — — — —
2015–16 Toronto Marlies AHL 3 1 2 0 181 8 0 2.66 .907 — — — — — — — —
2016–17 Iowa Wild AHL 50 23 17 9 2871 109 4 2.28 .926 — — — — — — — —
2016–17 Minnesota Wild NHL 2 1 1 0 119 3 0 1.51 .944 — — — — — — — —
2017–18 Minnesota Wild NHL 28 10 10 4 1496 71 1 2.85 .910 1 0 0 49 1 0 1.25 .938
2018–19 Minnesota Wild NHL 21 6 8 3 1066 53 0 2.99 .899 — — — — — — — —
2019–20 Minnesota Wild NHL 38 20 11 4 2178 97 4 2.67 .910 4 1 3 237 12 1 3.04 .897
2021–22 Bakersfield Condors AHL 5 3 1 0 268 17 0 3.81 .862 — — — — — — — —
2021–22 San Jose Sharks NHL 1 0 1 0 46 6 0 7.81 .786 — — — — — — — —
2021–22 San Jose Barracuda AHL 12 1 8 2 698 47 1 4.04 .872 — — — — — — — —
2022–23 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 27 9 15 2 1476 74 2 3.01 .908 — — — — — — — —
2023–24 San Diego Gulls AHL 15 2 9 2 801 51 0 3.82 .888 — — — — — — — —
NHL totals 179 70 65 20 9,613 432 11 2.70 .908 8 1 4 402 17 1 2.54 .910

Awards and honors

[edit]
Award Year
USHL
Clark Cup (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) 2004–05 [2]
College
All-WCHA Rookie Team 2006–07 [2]
All-WCHA First Team 2008–09 [2]
AHCA West First-Team All-American 2008–09 [2]
WCHA All-Tournament Team 2009 [29]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Wild Story Time with Alex Stalock". Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Wild, Stalock agree to terms on three-year contract extension". Minnesota Wild. January 29, 2019 – via NHL.com.
  3. ^ a b Pierce, Jessi (December 6, 2018). "From the rinks in South St. Paul, Alex Stalock developed into one of the NHL's best puckhandling goalies". The Athletic. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Heinen, Devon (2013-09-18). "Stalock unbowed after adversity". ESPN. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  5. ^ a b c "Ducks Sign Goaltender Stalock to One-Year Contract". Anaheim Ducks. August 7, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via NHL.com.
  6. ^ "Sharks rally to beat Coyotes 5-3". National Hockey League. 2011-02-01. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Kurz, Kevin (2013-09-30). "Three rookies on Sharks opening night roster". Comcast Sportsnet. Archived from the original on 2013-10-03. Retrieved 2013-10-11.
  8. ^ "Alex Stalock makes 38 saves, lifts Sharks over Senators". USA Today. Associated Press. 2013-10-28. Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  9. ^ "Pavelski, Nieto, Thornton score and Stalock makes 24 saves for 1st shutout in Sharks 3-0 win". National Hockey League. 2014-01-16. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  10. ^ Pollak, David (2014-01-28). "Sharks' backup goalie Alex Stalock opening a lot of eyes". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  11. ^ Kurz, Kevin (2014-04-28). "Stalock starting Game 6 for Sharks, Vlasic out vs. Kings". Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. Archived from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  12. ^ "Maple Leafs trade goaltender James Reimer to Sharks". Sportsnet. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  13. ^ "Toronto Maple Leafs will examine their goalie prospects closely over the remainder of the season". National Post. Montreal. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  14. ^ Hornby, Lance (December 14, 2017). "Former Marlies goalie between the pipes for Wild against Leafs". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  15. ^ "Wild agree to terms with Alex Stalock". Minnesota Wild. 2016-07-01. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-02.
  16. ^ a b "Wild sign goalie Stalock to 2-year extension". TSN. The Canadian Press. February 2, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  17. ^ Russo, Michael (June 22, 2017). "It's official: Vegas inks Wild's Erik Haula in expansion draft". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  18. ^ "Stalock beats Senators for first win with Wild". ESPN. Associated Press. March 31, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  19. ^ Campbell, Dave (December 14, 2017). "Leafs' offence sputters in uninspiring loss to Wild". CBC Sports. Associated Press. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  20. ^ Anderson, Kristen (December 7, 2018). "Smith shuts the door, Lindholm scores two in feisty win over Wild". Calgary Sun. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  21. ^ Pashelka, Curtis (August 3, 2020). "Alex Stalock earns first playoff win, six years after his lone Sharks' postseason start ended in controversy". The Mercury News. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  22. ^ "Tanev scores 11 seconds into OT as Canucks beat Wild 5-4". ESPN. Associated Press. August 8, 2020. Archived from the original on April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  23. ^ "Oilers claim G Stalock off waivers from Wild". TSN. 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
  24. ^ a b Satriano, David (May 9, 2023). "Masterton Trophy finalists named". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  25. ^ "Edmonton Oilers trade Alex Stalock to Sharks". TSN. March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "Athanasiou, Domi, Blackwell, Stalock, Philp and Seney signed". Chicago Blackhawks. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022 – via NHL.com.
  27. ^ "San Diego Gulls Announce Roster Moves". San Diego Gulls. October 9, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  28. ^ a b "UMD men's hockey alum Stalock retires, to enter broadcast booth". Duluth News Tribune. September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  29. ^ "WCHA Tourney History". WCHA. Archived from the original on 2014-07-02. Retrieved 2014-06-26.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by WCHA Most Valuable Player in Tournament
2009 		Succeeded by
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