It’s one of the rarest sights in hockey, but don’t tell that to Hurricanes prospect Alex Nedeljkovic.
The 22-year-old became the 13th goaltender in AHL history when he potted an empty-netter in the Charloltte Checkers 7-3 win over the Hartford Wolfpack on Saturday night.
It turns out that, despite playing 75 professional games split between the Hurricanes, Checkers and the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, this wasn’t the first time the former U.S. World Junior ‘tendy had notched a goal from roughly 200 feet. Last season, while playing for the Everblades, Nedeljkovic shot one from his crease instead of the corner, and sent it perfectly down the ice with such precision.
How about that? Regarded as one of the better goaltending prospects in the NHL, the former Plymouth Whaler, Flint Firebird and Niagara IceDog has .904 save percentage with a 27-11-2 record in Charlotte this season. A second-round pick of the Hurricanes in 2014, the Parma, Ohio, product could become the first goaltender to score at the ECHL, AHL and NHL level if he’s ever able to find the back of the net with the big club.
Look at that celebration and great team moment.
The Hurricanes could use a little more goal scoring, after all, and would surely welcome some fresh blood in the crease given their problems over the last few seasons with the position. Nedelkovic is tied for the most wins amongst AHL goaltender with 27, so he could be taking his goal-scoring talents to the NHL in the coming future.
Flames goaltender Mike Smith scored the last empty netter at the NHL level back in October of 2013 when he was with the Coyotes.
(h/t AHL)
