At 7 feet 2 inches, Alexander Karmanov towers over most of his peers, but his story begins long before the NHL draft combine. Growing up in Moldova, he was captivated by the speed and emotional intensity of hockey, a fascination that would later shape his aspirations on the ice.
Selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round of the 2026 Draft, Karmanov entered the league with a mix of excitement and curiosity, his height marking a rare footnote in hockey history.
A Towering Presence in the Draft
Among the NHL greats he has met, Brent Burns and Joe Thornton stand out as mentors who offered guidance during his early professional days, while the shadow of Zdeno Chara’s physical presence remains a benchmark for how size can be leveraged without compromising skill.
Karmanov’s early career was punctuated by penalties and suspensions, often for hits that officials interpreted as head checks, a scrutiny he attributes to his size rather than intent.
Despite those setbacks, he remains confident that his blend of size and skill can translate into a distinctive, physical style of play that could become a fixture in the Sharks’ lineup.
Now training with the San Jose Barracuda, the young forward looks ahead to a future where his height is an asset, not a liability, in the fast‑paced world of the NHL.