Alexander Romanov (ice hockey, born 2000)

Alexander Stanislavovich Romanov (Russian: Александр Станиславович Романов; born 6 January 2000) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 38th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.^[1]

Alexander Romanov
Romanov with the Montreal Canadiens in 2021
Born	(2000-01-06) 6 January 2000 (age 25) Moscow, Russia
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	New York Islanders CSKA Moscow Montreal Canadiens
NHL draft	38th overall, 2018 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	2018–present

Playing career

After two seasons playing in the KHL, Romanov was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Montreal Canadiens on 13 July 2020.^[2] Making his debut with the team for the COVID-shortened 2020–21 season, Romanov played in 54 of 56 regular season games. However, he took to the ice in only four of the 22 games in the Canadiens' deep playoff run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.^[3] On 5 July 2021, he became the youngest defenseman in Canadiens history to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Finals.^[4]

On 7 July 2022, during the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Romanov was traded by the Canadiens, along with a fourth-round pick, to the New York Islanders in exchange for a first-round pick (13th overall).^[5] Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said it was "very difficult" to trade Romanov, but that it was a necessary step in a series of trades to acquire centreman Kirby Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks.^[6]

International play

Medal record
Representing  Russia
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2020 Czech Republic
	2019 Canada

Romanov represented Russia at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He finished with one goal and seven assists, anchoring the Russian defence en route to a bronze medal.^[7] Romanov was named the best defenceman of the tournament by the IIHF Directorate and was voted to the All-Star team.^[8]

Personal life

Romanov's maternal grandfather is Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, who played for the Soviet national team from 1974 to 1987 and coached the Russian national ice hockey team from 2011 to 2014.^[9] His father is former KHL player Stanislav Nikolaevich Romanov.

In October 2020, Romanov married longtime girlfriend and former rhythmic gymnast Sofia Krasovskaya.^[10]

In February 2023, Romanov and his wife Sofia welcomed their first child, a baby girl.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2016–17	MHC Krylya Sovetov	MHL		15	1	2	3	2		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Krasnaya Armiya	MHL		37	7	7	14	37		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	CSKA Moscow	KHL		43	1	3	4	12		4	0	0	0	2
2019–20	CSKA Moscow	KHL		43	0	7	7	14		4	0	0	0	0
2020–21	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		54	1	5	6	21		4	1	0	1	0
2021–22	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		79	3	10	13	53		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	New York Islanders	NHL		76	2	20	22	43		4	0	0	0	2
2023–24	New York Islanders	NHL		81	7	15	22	20		5	0	1	1	0
2024–25	New York Islanders	NHL		64	4	16	20	20		—	—	—	—	—
KHL totals				86	1	10	11	26		8	0	0	0	2
NHL totals				354	17	66	83	157		13	1	1	2	2

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2018	Russia	U18	6th		5	1	2	3	0
2019	Russia	WJC			7	1	7	8	0
2020	Russia	WJC			7	1	5	6	2
Junior totals					19	3	14	17	2

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
KHL
Gagarin Cup champion	2019	[11]
International
WJC Best Defenceman (Directorate)	2019	[12]
WJC Best Defenceman (Media All-Stars)		[13]