Alexei Melnichuk

Alexei Andreyvich Melnichuk (Russian: Алексей Андреевич Мельничук; born 29 June 1998) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Alexei Melnichuk
Born (1998-06-29) 29 June 1998
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
KHL team
Former teams		 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
SKA Saint Petersburg
San Jose Sharks
HC Sochi
Traktor Chelyabinsk
Avangard Omsk
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2018–present

Playing career

Melnichuk played professionally in his native Russia, with SKA Saint Petersburg and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) before signing as an undrafted free agent to an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks in May 2020.[1]

During his maiden North American season in the 2020–21 campaign, he made his NHL debut with the Sharks appearing in relief on 11 February 2021, in a 6–2 defeat to the Los Angeles Kings.[2] He was handed his first start on 8 May 2021, in a 4–5 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes.[3]

In the following 2021–22 season, Melnichuk continued in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda. As the starting goaltender, Melnichuk collected 10 wins through 31 regular season games. At the NHL trade deadline, Melnichuk was dealt by the Sharks to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Antoine Morand on 21 March 2022.[4] He was immediately reassigned to the Lightning's ECHL affiliate, the Orlando Solar Bears.[5]

After completing the season with the Solar Bears, Melnichuk's KHL rights were traded by SKA Saint Petersburg to HC Sochi on 6 May 2022.[6] Opting to halt his North American career, Melnichuk was later signed by Sochi to a two-year contract on 11 May 2022.[7]

During the 2022–23 season, Melnichuk made 8 appearances with Sochi before he was initially loaned to Traktor Chelyabinsk for the remainder of the season on 21 October 2022.[8] After two months with Traktor, Melnichuk was again on the move and signed a two-way contract with Avangard Omsk on 21 December 2022.[9]

Melnichuk made just two appearances with Avangard Omsk before his rights were traded in the off-season in a return to former club, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod on 20 July 2023. He was promptly signed to a one year contract for the 2023–24 season.[10]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2015–16SKA-VaryagiMHLB 95315452402.64.891 ————————
2015–16SKA-1946MHL 155316422412.24.915 303158803.04.892
2016–17SKA-1946MHL 17105210353922.26.924 10162302.92.889
2016–17SKA-NevaVHL 17151110292851.63.932 ————————
2017–18SKA-1946MHL 3300180702.34.873 10145405.30.778
2017–18SKA-NevaVHL 19163010763041.67.934 8413891201.85.937
2017–18SKA Saint PetersburgKHL 210067302.68.900 ————————
2018–19SKA-NevaVHL 30206216974921.73.924 9635471031.10.963
2018–19SKA-1946MHL 110060010.001.000 211119301.51.938
2019–20SKA Saint PetersburgKHL 168518922541.68.930 ————————
2019–20SKA-NevaVHL 87104611521.95.925 10545562022.16.937
2020–21Torpedo Nizhny NovgorodKHL 146628513802.68.912 ————————
2020–21San Jose BarracudaAHL 1777310035803.47.868 ————————
2020–21San Jose SharksNHL 30111311105.05.864 ————————
2021–22San Jose BarracudaAHL 3110142165110803.92.867 ————————
2021–22Orlando Solar BearsECHL 62122761403.04.895 ————————
2022–23HC SochiKHL 81403721602.58.922 ————————
2022–23Traktor ChelyabinskKHL 40201051005.70.750 ————————
2022–23Omskie KryliaVHL 40201201105.49.817 ————————
2022–23Avangard OmskKHL 201060303.00.857 ————————
KHL totals 46161832,3479542.43.913 ————————
NHL totals 30111311105.05.864 ————————

International
Year Team Event Result GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2018 Russia WJC 5th 1 0 0 0 40 4 0 6.00 .750
Junior totals 1 0 0 0 40 4 0 6.00 .750

References
  1. "Sharks Sign Goaltender Alexei Melnichuk". National Hockey League. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  2. "Kings score six, defeat Sharks to split two-game set, end slide". National Hockey League. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  3. "Kessel wins it in OT in 900th consecutive NHL game, Coyotes top Sharks". National Hockey League. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  4. "Lightning acquire goalie Alexei Melnichuk from Sharks for Antoine Morand". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  5. Tampa Bay Lightning (22 March 2022). "Melnichuk will report to Orlando". Twitter. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  6. "Sports rights exchanged" (in Russian). HC Sochi. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  7. "Alexei Melnichuk becomes a Sochi player" (in Russian). HC Sochi. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  8. "Alexie Melnichuk in Traktor" (in Russian). Traktor Chelyabinsk. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  9. "Avangard signs Melnichuk" (in Russian). Avangard Omsk. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  10. "Alexei Melnichuk will return to Torpedo" (in Russian). Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.


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