Alex Goligoski


Alexander Marcus Flint Goligoski is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League. During his NHL career, he has also played for the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins, the organization that drafted him in the second round, 61st overall, in 2004.

Playing career

Amateur

Goligoski was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round from Grand Rapids High School, 61st overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. After being drafted, Goligoski played college hockey at Minnesota from 2004 to 2007, where he was assistant captain with Kellen Briggs. In 2004–05, he was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team. In 2005–06, he was named to the All-WCHA Second Team.

Professional

He began his professional career with the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2007. Goligoski was then recalled by Pittsburgh on February 5, 2008, and played his first NHL game against the Boston Bruins on February 13. After being returned to Wilkes-Barre, he again later recalled by Pittsburgh, registering his first point, an assist, on March 1 against the Ottawa Senators.
Due to injuries to Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney, Goligoski began the 2008–09 season on the roster for Pittsburgh. He scored his first NHL goal in his first game that season against Alex Auld of the Ottawa Senators. On November 13, Goligoski scored on his first shootout attempt of his career; the goal won the game for the Penguins. He was a member of the 2009 Stanley Cup-winning Penguins team.
On June 15, 2009, Goligoski signed a three-year, $5.5 million extension with the Penguins.
On February 21, 2011, Goligoski was traded to the Dallas Stars in exchange for left winger James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen. In 2011, Goligoski was invited to play for the United States at the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia. He declined, however, because he had not had much off-time in the past few seasons.
On January 23, 2012, Goligoski signed a four-year, $18.4 million contract extension with Dallas.
On June 16, 2016, the Stars traded his rights to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange of a fifth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. As an impending free agent, Goligoski was signed before the exclusivity window closed, agreeing to a five-year contract with the Coyotes on June 21, 2016.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours