Alex Stalock

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Alex Stalock

| image = Alex Stalock Worcester (cropped).jpg

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Stalock with the Worcester Sharks in 2012

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|7|28}}

| birth_place = Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lbs = 170

| position = Goaltender

| catches = Left

| played_for = San Jose Sharks
Minnesota Wild
Chicago Blackhawks

| draft = 112th overall

| draft_year = 2005

| draft_team = San Jose Sharks

| career_start = 2009

| career_end = 2024

}}

Alexander Stalock ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|t|eɪ|ˌ|l|ɒ|k}} {{Respell|STAY|lok}};{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/video/wild-story-time-with-alex-stalock/t-277437412/c-5377179|title=Wild Story Time with Alex Stalock|accessdate=12 December 2020}} 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

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/minnesota-wild-alex-stalock-contract-extension-012919/c-304285678 |title=Wild, Stalock agree to terms on three-year contract extension |via=NHL.com |publisher=Minnesota Wild |date=January 29, 2019}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://theathletic.com/696858/2018/12/06/from-the-rinks-in-south-st-paul-alex-stalock-developed-into-one-of-the-nhls-best-puckhandling-goalies/ |title=From the rinks in South St. Paul, Alex Stalock developed into one of the NHL's best puckhandling goalies |work=The Athletic |last=Pierce |first=Jessi |date=December 6, 2018 |access-date=April 9, 2024}} 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.

=Professional career=

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. 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) {{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/9686234/alex-stalock-back-san-jose-sharks-training-camp-batting-severe-injury-bad-luck | title = Stalock unbowed after adversity |last=Heinen |first=Devon | work = ESPN | date = 2013-09-18 | access-date = 2013-10-11}} He was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team and represented Worcester at the AHL All-Star Classic.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/ducks/news/ducks-sign-goaltender-stalock-to-one-year-contract/c-345535564 |title=Ducks Sign Goaltender Stalock to One-Year Contract |publisher=Anaheim Ducks |via=NHL.com |date=August 7, 2023 |access-date=April 9, 2024}} 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.{{cite web |date=2011-02-01 |title=Sharks rally to beat Coyotes 5-3 |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010020763 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307192600/http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2010020763 |archive-date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=April 22, 2024 |publisher=National Hockey League}} 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.

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.{{cite web | url = http://www.csnbayarea.com/sharks/three-rookies-sharks-opening-night-roster | title = Three rookies on Sharks opening night roster |last=Kurz |first=Kevin | publisher = Comcast Sportsnet | date = 2013-09-30 | access-date = 2013-10-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131003120622/http://www.csnbayarea.com/sharks/three-rookies-sharks-opening-night-roster | archive-date = 2013-10-03 | url-status = dead }} Stalock made his first NHL start on October 27, saving 38 shots in a 5–2 victory against the Ottawa Senators.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/sharks/2013/10/27/san-jose-sharks-ottawa-senators-alex-stalock/3282955/|title=Alex Stalock makes 38 saves, lifts Sharks over Senators |newspaper=USA Today|date=2013-10-28|accessdate=2013-10-29}} On January 16, 2014, Stalock recorded his first shutout in a 3–0 win over the Florida Panthers.{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=701003 | title = Pavelski, Nieto, Thornton score and Stalock makes 24 saves for 1st shutout in Sharks 3-0 win | publisher = National Hockey League | date = 2014-01-16 | access-date = 2014-01-18}} 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.{{cite news|last=Pollak|first=David|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_25012362/sharks-backup-goalie-alex-stalock-opening-lot-eyes|title=Sharks' backup goalie Alex Stalock opening a lot of eyes |newspaper=San Jose Mercury News|date=2014-01-28|accessdate=2014-01-31}} Stalock made his first career playoff start against the Los Angeles Kings on April 28, 2014.{{cite web|last=Kurz|first=Kevin|url=http://www.csnbayarea.com/sharks/stalock-starting-game-6-sharks-vlasic-out-vs-kings|title=Stalock starting Game 6 for Sharks, Vlasic out vs. Kings |publisher=Comcast SportsNet Bay Area|date=2014-04-28|accessdate=2014-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429075843/http://www.csnbayarea.com/sharks/stalock-starting-game-6-sharks-vlasic-out-vs-kings|archive-date=2014-04-29|url-status=dead}}

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.{{cite web |title=Maple Leafs trade goaltender James Reimer to Sharks|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-trade-goaltender-james-reimer-to-sharks/|website=Sportsnet|access-date=February 27, 2016}} 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.{{cite news |title=Toronto Maple Leafs will examine their goalie prospects closely over the remainder of the season|url=https://nationalpost.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-will-examine-their-goalie-prospects-closely-over-the-remainder-of-the-season|accessdate=15 December 2017|newspaper=National Post |date=29 February 2016|location=Montreal}}{{cite news|last1=Hornby|first1=Lance |title=Former Marlies goalie between the pipes for Wild against Leafs|url=http://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/former-marlies-goalie-between-the-pipes-for-wild-against-leafs|access-date=December 15, 2017|newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=December 14, 2017}}

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.{{cite web| url = http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=888089 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160704040737/http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=888089 | url-status = dead | archive-date = July 4, 2016 | title = Wild agree to terms with Alex Stalock | publisher = Minnesota Wild | date = 2016-07-01 | access-date = 2016-07-02}} 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.{{cite web |agency=The Canadian Press |title=Wild sign goalie Stalock to 2-year extension|url=https://www.tsn.ca/wild-sign-goalie-alex-stalock-to-2-year-contract-extension-1.663342|website=TSN|access-date=December 15, 2017|date=February 2, 2017}} Stalock was not selected by the Vegas Golden Knights and remained with the Wild.{{cite web |url=https://www.startribune.com/it-s-official-vegas-inks-wild-s-erik-haula-in-expansion-draft/430032763/ |title=It's official: Vegas inks Wild's Erik Haula in expansion draft |work=Star Tribune |last=Russo |first=Michael |date=June 22, 2017 |access-date=April 9, 2024}} Stalock made his Wild debut on March 31, 2017 in a 5–1 win over the Ottawa Senators.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/400885543 |title=Stalock beats Senators for first win with Wild |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN |date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=April 9, 2024}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Dave |title=Leafs' offence sputters in uninspiring loss to Wild|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-minnesota-wild-recap-1.4449424|work=CBC Sports |agency=Associated Press |access-date=December 15, 2017|date=December 14, 2017}} On December 6, 2018, Stalock appeared in his 100th game, a 2–0 loss to the Calgary Flames.{{cite web |url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames/smith-shuts-the-door-lindholm-scores-two-in-win-over-wild |title=Smith shuts the door, Lindholm scores two in feisty win over Wild |last=Anderson |first=Kristen |work=Calgary Sun |date=December 7, 2018 |access-date=April 9, 2024}} On January 29, 2019, the Wild signed Stalock, to a three-year, $2.355 million extension. 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/03/alex-stalock-earns-first-playoff-win-six-years-after-his-lone-sharks-postseason-start-ended-in-controversy/ |title=Alex Stalock earns first playoff win, six years after his lone Sharks’ postseason start ended in controversy |work=The Mercury News |last=Pashelka |first=Curtis |date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=April 9, 2024}} However, the Canucks won the next three games, eliminating the Wild.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401230390 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409193450/https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401230390 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |title=Tanev scores 11 seconds into OT as Canucks beat Wild 5-4 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=August 8, 2020 |access-date=April 9, 2024}}

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.{{cite web| url=https://www.tsn.ca/edmonton-oilers-claim-g-alex-stalock-off-waivers-from-minnesota-wild-1.1600813 | title = Oilers claim G Stalock off waivers from Wild | work = TSN | date = 2021-03-01 | access-date = 2021-03-01}} He missed the entirety of the season through myocarditis, after contracting COVID-19.{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Cam |title= Alex Stalock is likely to miss all of 2021-22 |url= https://oilersnation.com/news/alex-stalock-is-likely-to-miss-all-of-2021-22-due-to-a-heart-condition-developed-after-contracting-covid-19 |website=Oilersnation.com |date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=December 23, 2024 }} Returning to play in the {{nhly|2021}} 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.{{cite web| url = https://www.tsn.ca/edmonton-oilers-trade-alex-stalock-san-jose-sharks-1.1765738 | title = Edmonton Oilers trade Alex Stalock to Sharks | work = TSN | date = March 2, 2022 | access-date = March 2, 2022}} He appeared in one game with the Sharks, spending the rest of the season with the Sharks' AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-athanasiou-domi-blackwell-stalock-philp-and-seney-signed/c-334956846 | title = Athanasiou, Domi, Blackwell, Stalock, Philp and Seney signed | publisher = Chicago Blackhawks |via=NHL.com | date = July 13, 2022 | access-date = July 13, 2022}}

On July 13, 2022, Stalock signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. 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."{{cite news |last=Satriano |first=David |title=Masterton Trophy finalists named |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/masterton-trophy-nominees-announced-by-nhl/c-344268744?tid=280503612 |publisher=National Hockey League |date=May 9, 2023 |access-date=May 10, 2023 }} With Chicago, Stalock became the first goalie since the 1934–35 NHL season to stop a penalty shot in three consecutive games.

On August 7, 2023, Stalock signed as a free agent to a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Stalock was assigned to the Ducks AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, for the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.sandiegogulls.com/news/detail/san-diego-gulls-announce-roster-moves-october-9-2023 |title=San Diego Gulls Announce Roster Moves |publisher=San Diego Gulls |date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=April 9, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/bulldogs-hockey/umd-mens-hockey-alum-stalock-retires-to-enter-broadcast-booth |title=UMD men's hockey alum Stalock retires, to enter broadcast booth |work=Duluth News Tribune |date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024}}

Retirement

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

Career statistics

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:75%"

align="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! align="center" colspan="9" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Regular season

! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |

! align="center" colspan="8" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Playoffs

align="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! Season

! Team

! League

! GP

! W

! L

! T/OT

! MIN

! GA

! SO

! GAA

! SV%

! GP

! W

! L

! MIN

! GA

! SO

! GAA

! SV%

align="center"

| 2003–04

| South Saint Paul

| MNHS

| 31

| 23

| 7

| 1

| 1581

| 42

| 6

| 2.20

| .924

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2003–04

| U.S. National Development Team

| NAHL

| 2

| —

| 4.50

| .872

| —

align="center"

| 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

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 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

align="center"

| 2006–07

| University of Minnesota-Duluth

| WCHA

| 23

| 5

| 14

| 3

| 1364

| 76

| 1

| 3.34

| .881

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2007–08

| University of Minnesota-Duluth

| WHCA

| 36

| 13

| 17

| 6

| 2170

| 85

| 3

| 2.35

| .914

| —

align="center"

| 2008–09

| University of Minnesota-Duluth

| WCHA

| 42

| 21

| 13

| 8

| 2534

| 90

| 5

| 2.13

| .924

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2009–10

| Worcester Sharks

| AHL

| 61

| 39

| 19

| 2

| 3534

| 155

| 4

| 2.63

| .908

| 11

| 6

| 5

| 683

| 26

| 0

| 2.28

| .919

align="center"

| 2010–11

| Worcester Sharks

| AHL

| 41

| 19

| 17

| 4

| 2397

| 105

| 0

| 2.63

| .907

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2010–11

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 1

| 0

| 30

| 0

| 0.00

| 1.000

| —

align="center"

| 2011–12

| Stockton Thunder

| ECHL

| 6

| 5

| 1

| 0

| 360

| 17

| 0

| 2.83

| .914

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2011–12

| Worcester Sharks

| AHL

| 2

| 1

| 0

| 119

| 5

| 0

| 2.51

| .909

| —

align="center"

| 2011–12

| Peoria Rivermen

| AHL

| 3

| 2

| 0

| 106

| 2

| 1

| 1.13

| .964

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2012–13

| Worcester Sharks

| AHL

| 38

| 17

| 16

| 4

| 2281

| 99

| 2

| 2.60

| .912

| —

align="center"

| 2012–13

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 2

| 0

| 1

| 42

| 2

| 0

| 2.86

| .846

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 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

align="center"

| 2014–15

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 22

| 8

| 9

| 2

| 1236

| 54

| 2

| 2.62

| .902

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2015–16

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 13

| 3

| 5

| 2

| 670

| 33

| 0

| 2.94

| .884

| —

align="center"

| 2015–16

| San Jose Barracuda

| AHL

| 2

| 0

| 122

| 4

| 0

| 1.96

| .930

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2015–16

| Toronto Marlies

| AHL

| 3

| 1

| 2

| 0

| 181

| 8

| 0

| 2.66

| .907

| —

align="center"

| 2016–17

| Iowa Wild

| AHL

| 50

| 23

| 17

| 9

| 2871

| 109

| 4

| 2.28

| .926

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2016–17

| Minnesota Wild

| NHL

| 2

| 1

| 0

| 119

| 3

| 0

| 1.51

| .944

| —

align="center"

| 2017–18

| Minnesota Wild

| NHL

| 28

| 10

| 4

| 1496

| 71

| 1

| 2.85

| .910

| 1

| 0

| 49

| 1

| 0

| 1.25

| .938

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2018–19

| Minnesota Wild

| NHL

| 21

| 6

| 8

| 3

| 1066

| 53

| 0

| 2.99

| .899

| —

align="center"

| 2019–20

| Minnesota Wild

| NHL

| 38

| 20

| 11

| 4

| 2178

| 97

| 4

| 2.67

| .910

| 4

| 1

| 3

| 237

| 12

| 1

| 3.04

| .897

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2021–22

| Bakersfield Condors

| AHL

| 5

| 3

| 1

| 0

| 268

| 17

| 0

| 3.81

| .862

| —

align="center"

| 2021–22

| San Jose Sharks

| NHL

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 0

| 46

| 6

| 0

| 7.81

| .786

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2021–22

| San Jose Barracuda

| AHL

| 12

| 1

| 8

| 2

| 698

| 47

| 1

| 4.04

| .872

| —

align="center"

| 2022–23

| Chicago Blackhawks

| NHL

| 27

| 9

| 15

| 2

| 1476

| 74

| 2

| 3.01

| .908

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"

| 2023–24

| San Diego Gulls

| AHL

| 15

| 2

| 9

| 2

| 801

| 51

| 0

| 3.82

| .888

| —

align="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

! colspan="3" align="center" | 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

class="wikitable"

! Award

! Year

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

| colspan="3" | USHL

Clark Cup (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders)

| 2004–05

ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"

| colspan="3" | College

All-WCHA Rookie Team

| 2006–07

All-WCHA First Team

| 2008–09

AHCA West First-Team All-American

| 2008–09

WCHA All-Tournament Team

| 2009

| {{cite news|title=WCHA Tourney History|url=http://wcha.com/men/tourney/history.php|publisher=WCHA|accessdate=2014-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702170427/http://www.wcha.com/men/tourney/history.php|archive-date=2014-07-02|url-status=dead}}