Alex Stalock is a twenty-four year old goalie drafted in the 4th round (112th overall) of the 2005 NHL entry draft by the San Jose Sharks. His numbers and accomplishments are what you would read at the beginning of a NHL net minders resume at the end of a long and successful career.
As a rookie in the AHL in 2009/10 he set a league record for wins with thirty-nine, he was selected to the AHL All-Rookie Team, selected to the 2010 All-Star game, and was named team MVP. His list of accomplishments goes on but we’ll stop there.
The momentum Alex had created in his career all came crashing down one night a year ago when he suffered an injury that could have prevented the way he walks, well alone playing professional hockey again.
Alex’s injury was a caused by a skate cutting the back of his left knee. The opponents skate dug so deep into his leg that it severed the nerve and hamstring tenant.
“My knee was a little banged up before that game. A guy fell on it from behind and I thought that it finally went and I went to stand–up and I fell right over. I crawled off the ice and when we got my equipment off the bleeding wasn’t that bad” recalls Stalock when he described the injury. “We were on the training table and I thought I was lucky that it was just a cut. When we got to the hospital looking at the expressions on the surgeons and the doctor’s faces I knew that it was a scary deal.”
After spending three long months on the couch because nerve damage is something that takes time to heal Stalock began his rehab in Worcester and gives a great deal of credit to his support team for helping in his recovery. It was the better part of a full year before Alex was back on the ice playing in a competitive game again.
Last week Stalock got his first start for the ECHL Stockton Thunder who is an affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and the San Jose Sharks. Stalock got the win for his team and including that game has gone 4-0 for the first time in his career.
This past week-end he helped the Thunder beat the Alaska Aces for the first time in 6 games dating back to last season and the Thunder swept the ECHL’s defending champs in a three game series. Stalock played in two of the three games finishing off on Sunday with a 38 save effort in a 2-1 victory. The report was that both goalies were good but Alex stole the show.
I interviewed Alex after the game and asked him how he felt about playing professional hockey again.
“Feels good, the first night was pretty special, to be able to be on the ice and compete in the game of hockey. The initial diagnosis was who knows on whether or not I could play again depending on how the nerve reacts. I’m pretty lucky and fortunate to be where I am today.”
What impressed me the most about speaking with Alex was the genuine sincerity he had on his face throughout our chat. He looked like a kid who has had all of his dreams come true. Regarding the expression on his face you could tell that he had climbed a tall mountain to get where he was and that he appreciated every moment of the process. His energy for the game and the position he plays was contagious and he wasn’t shy to share it. Needless to say Stalock’s attitude has changed.
“It’s totally different coming to the rink now. You don’t take any day for granted whether it’s a practice or a game. It’s really an honor to play hockey for a living and you don’t realize that until something like this happens. It’s a real wake-up call and maybe it’s a turning point, who knows.”
Many players that go from the AHL to the ECHL aren’t too happy with the situation, but Stalock’s situation is different. After having that kind of injury the ECHL is a good place to start and Sharks goalie coach Wayne Thomas is close by in San Jose and was also in attendance for Friday’s game. Both Thomas and Cory Schwab are in constant contact with Stalock to help improve his game.
When I asked Thunder Coach Matt Thomas how Alex’s attitude has been his immediate response was “Phenomenal. He gets it” he said. “He gets it in hockey and in life; and his attitude since joining the team has been nothing but positive and a great influence on everybody around him.”
Along with writing for hockeybuzz.com I have also been doing color commentary for the Thunder for the past three seasons and even though Stalock isn’t back to 100% you can tell that he won’t be in the “E” for much longer. In the game I called Friday night Stalock swallowed up rebounds like a vacuum and his positioning was solid, his mistakes were that of goalie who needs to shake some rust off. What was evident in the 6-3 win was how confident this athlete is and from what I saw he has every right to be.
The great football coach Marv Levy once said that ability without character is useless. From where I sit Alex Stalock has plenty of character and if he fully recovers from his injury it won’t be long before we hear his name mentioned at the highest level of his trade.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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