Sports
Plymouth Whalers' Alex Nedeljkovic Signs with NHL's Carolina Hurricanes
edeljkovic was selcted by 'Canes in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft.
Photos 1, 2, 3 and 5 by Rena Laverty; Photo 4 by Denie Ronayne. 1-Alex Nedeljkovic and his family at the 2014 NHL Draft; 2-Nedeljkovic is the media scrum in Philadelphia; 3-Nedeljkovic stops Erie star Connor McDavid; 4-Nedeljkovic with fams during a Skate With the Whalers Event; 5-Nedeljkovic in action action Belleville.
Alex Nedeljkovic came to Compuware Arena on Friday in typical fashion.
After several pleasant conversations with members of the arena staff, Nedeljkovic pulled on skates and sweats and assisted goaltending coach Stan Matwijiw in a private session with a young goaltender.
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Nedeljkovic explained, while pulling on his skates, that sitting around the house gets old pretty fast. And hockey players – the husky dogs of the sports business – crave ice and the action it provides.
If Nedeljkovic felt like celebrating, he waited until he got home later that afternoon.
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On Friday evening, the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes announced that they had signed Nedeljkovic to a three-year, entry-level contract. The Hurricanes originally selected Nedeljkovic in the second round (37th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft, held in Philadelphia.
The Hurricanes could have waited another year to sign Nedeljkovic, as Canadian Hockey League players taken in the NHL Draft have a two-year window before they have to be signed.
But Carolina saw no reason to wait. Anyone who has watched Nedeljkovic literally grow up in Plymouth over the last three seasons understands the Hurricanes’ decision.
“Alex had another strong year with Plymouth, and we are pleased with his development thus far,” said Ron Francis, Carolina’s general manager in a team release. “We anticipate that he will play an important role in our organization’s future.”
See the rest of the release from Carolina.
Nedeljkovic will report to Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League and finish the season there. The Checkers – 28-34-5-1 – have eight games to play in their season.
After earning the Ontario Hockey League’s Goaltender of the Year award in 2013-14, Nedeljkovic had another strong year this season for the Whalers, posting a 3.13 goal-against average and .916 save percentage and five shutouts. Although he didn’t wear a “C” or an ”A”, Nedeljkovic became one of the leaders in the Plymouth dressing room over the last two seasons.
He’s up for the OHL Goaltender of the Year award again this year and is the Whalers’ candidate for league Most Valuable Player, which will probably go to Erie’s Connor McDavid.
Nedeljkovic has played the most games by a goaltender in franchise history (142) and is in the top ten in all goaltending statistical categories in franchise history.
And – as MLive.com’s Aaron McMann reports – there is no guarantee that Nedeljkovicwill play in Flint next year as the Whalers make the transition this off-season to become the Flint Firebirds.
In signing a NHL contract, Nedeljkovic’s place next season will be determined by the Carolina Hurricanes. He could end up in Flint – or somewhere else in the OHL, via trade (similar to Kitchener’s Jake Paterson) – or Charlotte in the AHL.
The Hurricanes are going to miss the NHL playoff this year, meaning there could be plenty of movement during the off-season as Carolina re-tools for 2015-16. Nedeljkovic will be somewhere in the mix.
One thing is certain – Alex Nedeljkovic earned his NHL contract and everything that happens afterwards.
Congratulations, Ned!
MORE MEDIA: Five Whalers Taken in 2014 NHL Draft.
Alex Nedeljkovic Named 2014 OHL Goaltender of the Year.
VIDEO: Game Three vs. Guelph, 2014 Playoffs. Outdoor Classic, 12/29/13 at Comerica Park.
11/30/12 - Nedeljkovic’s First Start at Compuware Arena vs. Ottawa.
