Photo from Dan Milstein's social media account
From Moldova—a country not known for hockey—to the draft of the world’s premier hockey league
Carmanov, who stands 216 centimeters tall, has caught the attention of scouts not only because of his unique physical attributes but also because of his progress on the ice, according to Sport-Express.
The hockey player was born in Moldova, where opportunities for professional development in hockey are limited. His path to the top involved regular trips abroad—his family took Alexander to practices and games in Romania and Ukraine so he could gain playing experience.
Later, Carmanov joined the Russian club Vityaz’s system and then continued his development in North America, playing in junior leagues.
San Jose sees potential for a long-term project
Despite his unusual stature—standing 216 cm tall and weighing 123 kg—experts note not only the player’s size but also his ability to move on the ice.
San Jose’s Director of Scouting, Chris Morhouse, called Carmanov a player with great potential, emphasizing his willingness to work on his development. “Carmanov is a great guy; he wants to work hard. This is an incredibly long-term project,” said the club representative.
In hockey circles, Carmanov is already being compared to the famous Slovak defenseman Zdeno Chara, one of the tallest players in NHL history. However, experts note that the Moldovan defenseman still has a long way to go before a possible debut in the world’s top league.
Carmanov’s selection in the NHL draft was a rare event for Moldovan sports. The country is not traditionally considered a hockey powerhouse and has virtually no developed infrastructure for training high-level players.
