| Alex Galchenyuk | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Galchenyuk with thePittsburgh Penguins in 2019 | |||
| Born | (1994-02-12)February 12, 1994 (age 31) | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb) | ||
| Position | Center | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| KHL team Former teams | Amur Khabarovsk Montreal Canadiens Arizona Coyotes Pittsburgh Penguins Minnesota Wild Ottawa Senators Toronto Maple Leafs Colorado Avalanche SKA Saint Petersburg | ||
| National team |  United States | ||
| NHL draft | 3rd overall,2012 Montreal Canadiens | ||
| Playing career | 2012–present | ||
Alexander Alexandrovich Galchenyuk (Belarusian:Аляксандр Аляксандравіч Гальчанюк) (born February 12, 1994) is an American professionalice hockeycenter forAmur Khabarovsk of theKontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected third overall by theMontreal Canadiens in the2012 NHL entry draft. Galchenyuk has also previously played for theArizona Coyotes,Pittsburgh Penguins,Minnesota Wild,Ottawa Senators,Toronto Maple Leafs, andColorado Avalanche.
Galchenyuk is ofBelarusian descent, but was born in the United States and has represented the United States internationally. As of 2025 he has also acquired citizenship of theRussian Federation.[1]
Galchenyuk played his final year of minor hockey with the U16 Chicago Young Americans and quickly became a star player, tallying 44 goals and 43 assists, leading coach Bruno Bragagnolo to refer to winning a lottery ticket as "the odds of having another kid like Alex play for you".[2] His performance led to him being drafted number one in the 2010Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection Draft by theSarnia Sting.[3]
Galchenyuk was also selected 25th overall in the 2011Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)Junior Draft byAtlant Moscow Oblast, which caused his father,Alexander Galchenyuk, to express his displeasure in Alex not being drafted in the first round by the Belarusian KHL team,Dinamo Minsk.
In his first season with the Sting, Galchenyuk recorded 31 goals and 52 assists for 83 total points, which led to him being selected to the OHL 1st All-Rookie team alongside teammateNail Yakupov. The following year, he missed all but two regular-season games and six playoff games with a knee injury.[4] He was selected third in the2012 NHL entry draft by theMontreal Canadiens.
On July 23, 2012, Galchenyuk signed a three-year,entry-level contract with the Canadiens.[5] During the2012–13 NHL lockout, he played for Sarnia in the OHL, where he served as captain of the team during his final season for the Sting[6] and where he dominated by recording 27 goals and 34 assists in 33 games.[7]
Galchenyuk made the Canadiens roster for the2012–13 season opener, a 2–1 loss to theToronto Maple Leafs on January 19, 2013.[8] He was the youngest player to play a full season with the Canadiens since 1984.[9] He scored his first NHL goal on January 22, 2013, againstScott Clemmensen of theFlorida Panthers, tipping-in a shot fromBrandon Prust; rookie teammateBrendan Gallagher also recorded his first NHL point, an assist.[10] Galchenyuk finished the season playing in all 48 games with 9 goals, 18 assists for 27 points and aplus-minus rating of +14, playing primarily on the left wing of the third line.[11][12] He finished in the top ten in all three offensive categories among rookies, and was sixth overall in rookie points scoring, helping propel a resurgent Canadiens team to the second-best record in theEastern Conference.[13]
During the2013–14 season, Galchenyuk missed six weeks due to a broken hand.[14] He finished the season with 13 goals and 31 points in 65 games.
Galchenyuk scored his first careerhat-trick on December 16, 2014, against theCarolina Hurricanes.[15] The2014–15 season also marked Galchenyuk's first 20-goal campaign, as he tallied that amount in 80 games.
On July 30, 2015, Galchenyuk (as a restricted free agent) signed a two-year, $5.6 million contract extension with the Canadiens.[16] The2015–16, Galchenyuk tiedcaptainMax Pacioretty with 30 goals to lead the team. Galchenyuk finished second in team scoring (behind Pacioretty) with 56 points.
On July 5, 2017, Galchenyuk signed a three-year, $14.7 million contract extension with the Canadiens.[17] In the following2017–18 campaign, Galchenyuk produced 51 points in his sixth season with the Canadiens.
On June 15, 2018, Galchenyuk was traded by the Canadiens to theArizona Coyotes in exchange forMax Domi.[18]
In his first season as a member of the Coyotes, Galchenyuk played in 72 games, with 19 goals and 22 assists.
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On June 29, 2019, Galchenyuk was traded to thePittsburgh Penguins along withPierre-Olivier Joseph in exchange forPhil Kessel, Dane Birks, and a fourth-round pick in2021.[19] He suffered a lower-body injury early in the2019–20 season and was placed on injured reserve on October 9, 2019.[20] Galchenyuk returned to make 45 appearances with the Penguins, struggling to match his previous career offensive output in recording 5 goals and 17 points.
On February 10, 2020, Galchenyuk, prospectCalen Addison, and Pittsburgh's first round pick in the2020 NHL entry draft were traded to theMinnesota Wild in exchange forJason Zucker.[21]
On October 28, 2020, Galchenyuk signed as a free agent to join his fifth NHL club in the Ottawa Senators on a one-year, $1.05 million contract.[22] Galchenyuk began the pandemic delayed2020–21 season, on the Senators roster as a healthy scratch. Drawing into the lineup, Galchenyuk scored on his debut with the Senators in a 4–3 overtime defeat to theWinnipeg Jets on January 19, 2021.[23] He was scoreless in his following 7 games, featuring in just 8 of the Senators opening 15 games.
On February 13, 2021, Galchenyuk, along withCédric Paquette, were traded by the Senators to theCarolina Hurricanes in exchange forRyan Dzingel.[24] On the following day, Galchenyuk was placed on waivers by the Hurricanes and upon clearing was assigned for the first time in his career to the AHL joining affiliate, theChicago Wolves, on February 15, 2021.[25] That same day, before he could join the Wolves, Galchenyuk was traded by the Hurricanes to theToronto Maple Leafs in exchange forYegor Korshkov andDavid Warsofsky.[26]
The Galchenyuk acquisition was initially seen as an insignificant depth move, and after the trade he originally played for the team's AHL affiliate, theToronto Marlies.[27] After putting up 8 points in 6 games, Galchenyuk was called up to the Maple Leafs, eventually making his debut on March 19 on a line alongsideWilliam Nylander andJohn Tavares.[28] He spent the rest of the season in the NHL, impressing fans and team staff to the extent that Maple Leafs general managerKyle Dubas admitted to reporters that Galchenyuk's surprising success led the Maple Leafs to adjust their plans for the season's trade deadline.[29][30] He finished the season with 12 points in 26 games played with the Maple Leafs, helping the team wintheir division. In the playoffs, Galchenyuk recorded four points in six games, but the Leafs were ultimately defeated in the first round by Galchenyuk's former team, the Montreal Canadiens.
On September 21, 2021, Galchenyuk was signed to aprofessional tryout (PTO) contract with the Coyotes, making his return to Arizona after being traded by the franchise in the 2019 off-season. On October 5, Galchenyuk was signed to a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Coyotes.[31] In the2020–21 season, Galchenyuk played in a top-nine forward role for the rebuilding Coyotes, registering 6 goals and 15 assists to finish seventh amongst forward scoring with 21 points through 60 regular season games.
As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Coyotes, Galchenyuk remained unsigned over the summer and for the second consecutive year accepted a PTO invitation to join theColorado Avalanche's training camp on September 20, 2022.[32] Galchenyuk remained with the Avalanche through training camp before he was injured in his debut preseason game, resulting in his release from his tryout on September 29.[33][34]
In recovering from his injury and remaining within the Avalanche organization, Galchenyuk was signed to a AHL contract to begin his2022–23 season with affiliate, theColorado Eagles, on November 10, 2022.[35] In recording 7 points through 7 games with the Eagles, Galchenyuk was then signed to a one-year, two-way $750,000 contract with the Avalanche for the remainder of the season on November 28, 2022.[36][37] In joining the Avalanche, Galchenyuk made his debut on the road the following day in a 5–0 shutout defeat to theWinnipeg Jets.[38] After going scoreless through four games with the Avalanche, Galchenyuk was placed on waivers and returned to the Eagles upon clearing on December 6, 2022.[39][40]
On June 24, 2023, the Avalanche traded Galchenyuk - a pending unrestricted free agent - to theNashville Predators in exchange forRyan Johansen.[41] The Predators did not sign Galchenyuk, making him an unrestricted free agent. On July 1, 2023, he signed a one-year, two-way contract to return to the Coyotes organization.[42]
On July 13, Galchenyuk was placed on unconditional waivers by the Coyotes for the purpose of terminating his contract. The team refused to further comment on the matter, and an investigation was conducted by theNational Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA). It was later revealed that Galchenyuk had been arrested on July 9 on multiple charges, including hit and run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, and resisting arrest.[43] On July 18, Galchenyuk announced he would enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.[44]
With NHL interest ceased as a free agent, Galchenyuk opted to pursue his professional career abroad by agreeing to a two-year contract withSKA Saint Petersburg of theKontinental Hockey League (KHL) on August 25, 2023.[45] In the2023–24 season, Galchenyuk matched his previous season totals in registering 16 goals and 42 points through 61 regular season games. He helped SKA advance to the second round, collecting 5 points through 9 appearances.
Opting not to proceed with the second year of his contract with SKA, Galchenyuk was signed by fellow Russian club,Amur Khabarovsk on a one-year deal, on May 17, 2024.[46]
Galchenyuk was born inMilwaukee,Wisconsin, to former Soviet and Belarusian hockey playerAlexander Galchenyuk and a Belarusian mother. He has an older sister, Anna. Galchenyuk's father was a member of theInternational Hockey League (IHL)'sMilwaukee Admirals at the time of his birth.[47] The family moved to Europe when Galchenyuk was four, following his father's hockey career in Germany, Italy and Russia. They eventually settled in Russia, where the younger Galchenyuk began his hockey career before moving back to North America when he was 15, first toChicago,Illinois, and then toSarnia,Ontario, where Alex Galchenyuk, Sr. coaches.
On March 5, 2025, Amur Khabarovsk, the team he played for, announced that Galchenyuk had become a Russian citizen and now had a Russian passport.[48]
Galchenyuk is fluent inRussian,Italian andEnglish.[4]
In 2016, Galchenyuk's then-girlfriend, Chanel Leszczynski, was arrested for assault following a domestic dispute at his apartment. Galchenyuk and teammateDevante Smith-Pelly were questioned by Montreal police. Galchenyuk declined to file a domestic violence complaint and the Crown ultimately did not prosecute the case.[49][50]
In 2017, former Canadiens coachMario Tremblay claimed he heard that Galchenyuk had been to rehab twice, an allegation neither confirmed nor denied by Galchenyuk or the team.[50]
On July 9, 2023, Galchenyuk was arrested on multiple charges that included "private property hit and run, disorderly conduct, failure to obey, resisting arrest and threatening or intimidating." As a result of the arrest, his contract with theArizona Coyotes was terminated.[51] Galchenyuk made violent threats and racial slurs at police officers during his arrest.[52] On July 18, 2023, Galchenyuk released a statement apologizing for the incident, admitting that he was intoxicated with alcohol.[53][54] Body cam footage of the July incident was released on November 9, 2023.[55]
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2009–10 | Chicago Young Americans | MWEHL | 38 | 44 | 43 | 87 | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Sarnia Sting | OHL | 68 | 31 | 52 | 83 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Sarnia Sting | OHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2012–13 | Sarnia Sting | OHL | 33 | 27 | 34 | 61 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 48 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 65 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 80 | 20 | 26 | 46 | 39 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 10 | ||
| 2015–16 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 30 | 26 | 56 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 61 | 17 | 27 | 44 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 2017–18 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 19 | 32 | 51 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Arizona Coyotes | NHL | 72 | 19 | 22 | 41 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 45 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 2020–21 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Toronto Marlies | AHL | 6 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 26 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2021–22 | Arizona Coyotes | NHL | 60 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Colorado Eagles | AHL | 42 | 16 | 26 | 42 | 22 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | ||
| 2022–23 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | SKA Saint Petersburg | KHL | 61 | 16 | 26 | 42 | 42 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2024–25 | Amur Khabarovsk | KHL | 59 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 654 | 146 | 208 | 354 | 257 | 38 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 24 | ||||
| KHL totals | 120 | 36 | 44 | 80 | 66 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representingthe United States | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| IIHF World U20 Championship | ||
 | 2013 Russia | |
| World Championships | ||
 | 2013 Stockholm/Helsinki | |
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | United States | WJC |  | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 | |
| 2013 | United States | WC |  | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2022 | United States | WC | 4th | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| Junior totals | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 | ||||
| Senior totals | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | ||||
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| OHL | ||
| Jack Ferguson Award | 2010 | [56] |
| All-Rookie Team | 2011 | |
| Montreal Canadiens | ||
| Molson Cup | 2016 | [57] |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Montreal Canadiens first round draft pick 2012 | Succeeded by |