2014 NHL Draft: Plymouth Whalers’ Alex Nedeljkovic picked by Carolina
By Robert Bondy –
Mike Vellucci made headlines earlier this summer when he left town for a spot in the Carolina Hurricanes’ front office as an assistant general manager, and now three months later he’s bringing a familiar face down south to join him.
This past Saturday the Carolina Hurricanes selected goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic with the 37th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, looking to rekindle a successful duo between the two former Plymouth Whalers at the next level.
“A lot of different feelings, excitement, anxious, things like that,” Nedeljkovic told MiHockey in Philadelphia on being selected in the second round. “Just to get that weight lifted off my shoulders to know that I’m part of an organization now is just incredible. Really can’t describe it more than that.”
Nedeljkovic, winner of the 2013-14 Ontario Hockey League Goaltender of the Year, has spent the last two years establishing himself in the OHL, and was part of a string of netminders taken early in the second round. The 6-foot-0, 190-pound Belle Tire alum knew once one goalie was taken it’d open the flood gates and was thankful his former coach’s new team was the one who called his name.
“I can’t say enough about Coach Vellucci, he’s done a lot for me the past two years being at Plymouth,” Nedeljkovic said. “I don’t know how much say he had in picking me, but I know for whatever he did it’s been awesome the past two years I definitely wouldn’t be here throughout what he’s done with me.”
Nedeljkovic was solid between the pipes for Plymouth this past season, posting the league’s second best save percentage of .925, and only a 2.88 goals against average. Appearing in 61 of the teams 68 regular season games, Nedeljkovic was able to help lead the Whalers into the playoffs.
On the ice, Nedeljkovic compares himself to another Michigan hockey superstar, Ryan Miller, with both focusing on the small things and always staying in good position.
Outside of posting stellar numbers during his time in the mitten, it didn’t come as a surprise to Nedeljkovic when Carolina called his name early in the second round, with friends and family joking about how he was a no-brainer pick at No. 37.
“There were a few guys who were saying, (and) my coaches saying that they thought they were going to take me, and a couple of guys were joking with me that if I’m there that there’s no way they’re going to pass on me,” Nedeljkovic said. “I just kind of let it go a little bit and was just waiting to see what would happen. I’m really excited that they took me though, it’s a great place to play.”
Before playing in the O, Nedeljkovic moved from his birthplace of Parma, Ohio to play at Belle Tire. From there he was able to mold into one of the elite young goaltenders in the game.
At only the age of 18, Nedeljkovic has a potentially long and successful career in the show ahead of him, but for now he’s taking it one step at a time. He said he is simply focused on preparing for the upcoming season and putting himself in a position to excel at the game’s highest level.
“Right now it’s just to work and get in shape better, just get ready for next season and whatever challenges come with that and hopefully camp at the end of the summer,” Nedeljkovic said. “We’ll take one thing at a time as it comes.”