Alex Petrovic Explained

Alexander Petrovic
Team:Dallas Stars
Former Teams:Florida Panthers
Edmonton Oilers
League:NHL
Prospect League:AHL
Position:Defence
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:215
Shoots:Right
Birth Date:3 March 1992
Birth Place:Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Draft:36th overall
Draft Team:Florida Panthers
Draft Year:2010
Career Start:2012

Alexander Petrovic (born March 3, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Petrovic was selected by the Florida Panthers in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft from the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League (WHL).[1]

Playing career

As a youth, Petrovic played in the 2004 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the North East Eagles minor ice hockey team from Edmonton.[2]

Junior

Petrovic was drafted by the Red Deer Rebels in the second round of the 2007 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft. Prior to being drafted, he had been playing midget hockey in Edmonton.[3] He played his first full WHL season in 2008–2009, recording 13 points in 66 games.[4] Leading up to the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Petrovic was ranked 29th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, and the Florida Panthers ultimately drafted Petrovic in the second round, 36th overall. Petrovic played his entire junior career with the Rebels, turning pro for good after the 2011–2012 WHL season.

Professional

Florida Panthers

On April 18, 2011, Florida signed Petrovic to a three-year, entry-level professional contract.[5] He made his professional debut in the American Hockey League (AHL) playoffs with the San Antonio Rampage after the 2011–12 season. Petrovic began the 2012–13 season with the Rampage in the AHL, but was called up to the Panthers in April 2013. On April 18, he made his NHL debut against the New York Rangers,[6] playing in six games at the NHL level near the end of the season. He did not score any points, however, though he did record 25 penalty minutes.

Petrovic attended training camp with the Panthers prior to the 2013–14 season, and was expected to stick with the club for the entire season, but he was one of the earliest cuts and returned to San Antonio of the AHL.[7] On January 26, 2016, Petrovic scored his first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Two weeks later on February 9 in a 7–4 Panthers win over the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center, he picked up a goal and an assist but fought Evander Kane three times.[8] The three fights by the same two adversaries in a single NHL match was the first such occurrence since Jody Shelley and Bob Probert did it on January 10, 2002.[9]

Edmonton Oilers

During his seventh season with the Panthers in 2018–19, having slowed his production and effectiveness on the third-pairing with Florida producing just 1 assist in 26 games, Petrovic was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Chris Wideman and a conditional third-round pick in 2019 on December 30, 2018.[10]

Boston Bruins

In the 2019 offseason, as an unrestricted free agent, Petrovic signed a professional tryout contract with the Boston Bruins. After a successful camp with the Bruins, on September 26, 2019, Petrovic was signed to a one-year, two-way contract by the Bruins and assigned to AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins.[11] Petrovic spent the duration of his contract in the AHL, posting 2 goals and 20 points in 54 regular season games, before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Calgary Flames

A free agent from the Bruins, Petrovic signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Calgary Flames on October 9, 2020.[12] He began the pandemic delayed and shortened 2020–21 season, with the Flames AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat, producing 12 points in just 17 games. He was later recalled to the Flames taxi squad, but did not appear with the club.

Dallas Stars

A free agent from the Flames, Petrovic signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Dallas Stars on July 28, 2021.On May 17, 2024, Petrovic made his playoff debut of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals vs the Colorado Avalanche, recording 16 minutes of ice time in relief of Nils Lundkvist. [13]

Personal life

As a child, Petrovic's favourite player was Mike Modano and his favourite team was the Dallas Stars. He models his game after defenceman Chris Pronger. He is of Serbian descent.[14]

Career statistics

  Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2007–08MLAC Maple LeafsAMHL31381180
2007–08Red Deer RebelsWHL101012
2008–09Red Deer RebelsWHL661121370
2009–10Red Deer RebelsWHL57819278740004
2010–11Red Deer RebelsWHL6975057140906623
2011–12Red Deer RebelsWHL68123648141
2011–12San Antonio RampageAHL50110924614
2012–13San Antonio RampageAHL5541317102
2012–13Florida PanthersNHL600025
2013–14San Antonio RampageAHL432111379
2013–14Florida PanthersNHL70118
2014–15San Antonio RampageAHL41317205930110
2014–15Florida PanthersNHL3303334
2015–16Florida PanthersNHL66215179061344
2016–17Florida PanthersNHL491131479
2017–18Florida PanthersNHL672111398
2018–19Florida PanthersNHL2601124
2018–19Edmonton OilersNHL90112
2019–20Providence BruinsAHL542182024
2020–21Stockton HeatAHL172101214
2021–22Texas StarsAHL71514197320112
2022–23Texas StarsAHL71918276283254
2023–24Texas StarsAHL70517224071012
2023–24Dallas StarsNHL1000070002
NHL totals 26454550360131346

Awards and honours

AwardYear
WHL
2011[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rebels blue-liner has monster week . . 2010-06-26 . 2010-06-26 .
  2. Web site: Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA. 2018. Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2019-02-16. 2019-03-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf. dead.
  3. Web site: Petrovic, Alexander. National Hockey League. 2013-12-15.
  4. Web site: Alex Petrovic. National Hockey League. 2013-12-15.
  5. Web site: Panthers agree to entry level contract with D Alex Petrovic . . 2011-04-18 . 2011-04-18.
  6. Web site: Alex Petrovic in his NHL debut . zimbio.com . 2013-04-18 . 2013-04-18.
  7. Web site: Florida Panthers begin task of roster trims . 2013-12-15. 2013-09-22. Richards, George. Miami Herald.
  8. https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/fla-vs-buf/2016/02/09/2015020795#game=2015020795,game_state=final,game_tab=wrap "Panthers score early, hold off Sabres," nhl.com, Tuesday, February 9, 2016.
  9. https://sabres.buffalonews.com/2016/02/09/43756/ Vogl, John. "Videos: Sabres' Kane wins three straight fights against Florida's Petrovic," The Buffalo News, Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
  10. Web site: Oilers acquire defenseman Alex Petrovic . . December 30, 2018 . December 30, 2018.
  11. Web site: Bruins announce transactions . . September 26, 2019 . September 26, 2019.
  12. Web site: Flames sign Alex Petrovic . . October 9, 2020 . October 9, 2020.
  13. Web site: Stars sign Alexander Petrovic to one-year contract . . July 28, 2021 . July 28, 2021.
  14. Web site: Florida Panthers Petrovic hopes to crack crowded defensive corps this season . https://web.archive.org/web/20130728174642/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-07-05/sports/fl-florida-panthers-0706-20120705_1_alexander-petrovic-nick-bjugstad-erik-gudbranson . dead . July 28, 2013 . . July 5, 2012 . July 5, 2012 .
  15. Web site: Alex Petrovic player profile . . 2011-04-05 . 2011-04-05.