Sharks Draft Alexander Karmanov, Tallest Player in NHL History at 7-Foot-1

In a groundbreaking move at the 2026 NHL Draft, the San Jose Sharks made history with their seventh-round pick, selecting defenseman Alexander Karmanov from Moldova. Standing at an astonishing 7-foot-1, Karmanov now holds the title of the tallest player ever drafted in NHL history. Should he step onto the ice for any NHL game, he would surpass the towering trio of Zdeno Chara, Matt Rempe, and Viktor Svedberg, all of whom stand at 6-foot-9.

Weighing in at 280 pounds, Karmanov is poised to be one of the heaviest players in the league as well. His selection marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first Moldovan player ever drafted into the NHL. Karmanov showcased his skills during the 2025-26 season with the Brantford Titans in the Greater Ontario Hockey League and the North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League.

Adam Dennis, president of the North Bay Battalion, expressed admiration for Karmanov’s rapid development. “We certainly watched him last season, heading into the import draft, and just to see some of the improvements that he’s made in his game,” Dennis noted. He praised Karmanov’s will and determination, stating, “He has done things that the average 17-year-old hasn’t been through yet, but he wants to be a hockey player, and we’re looking forward to working with him.”

Looking ahead, Karmanov is set to return to the Battalion for the upcoming season before transitioning to college hockey at Penn State in 2027. Interestingly, the tallest player on Penn State’s current men’s basketball roster is 7-foot Ivan Jurić, highlighting the remarkable stature of Karmanov.

Karmanov was the last of several strong picks for the Sharks in this year’s draft. Earlier, they secured talented forward Ivar Stenberg with the second overall pick, followed by defenseman Keaton Verhoeff at ninth overall, who is considered one of the best defensemen in the draft, and Ryan Lin at 21, another highly regarded defender.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.