Alexandar Georgiev Bio
Alexandar Georgiyevich Georgiev is a Bulgarian-born Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who most recently signed with Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Standing 6 ft 1 in and catching with his left hand, Georgiev has built a reputation as a technically sound, calm netminder whose career has taken him from European youth hockey to the North American professional ranks. He is the first Bulgarian-born player to appear in a National Hockey League (NHL) game.
Over the course of his career, Georgiev has suited up for the New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Buffalo Sabres, Spartak Moscow, and TPS in Finland’s top professional league, the Liiga. Although he entered the NHL as an undrafted free agent, he has logged more than 150 regular-season appearances and has ranked among the league’s busiest goaltenders in recent seasons.
Early Life and Background
Alexandar Georgiyevich Georgiev was born on 10 February 1996 in Ruse, Bulgaria, a Danube port city. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Russia, and he was raised in the Moscow region, where he first learned to skate and handle a goaltender’s stick. Although he was born in Bulgaria, he grew up as a Russian citizen and is recognized as a dual citizen of both countries.
His first organized hockey came with the Moscow-based Penguins, a youth program that introduced him to the demands of the goaltending position. He later moved to Voskresensk to play for Khimik Voskresensk, continuing his development in a competitive Russian junior environment. These early years laid the technical foundation that would later define his professional approach between the pipes.
Path to Professional Hockey
Georgiev’s next major step came when he moved to Finland to play for TPS in the Liiga, one of Europe’s top professional leagues. He made his Liiga debut during the 2014–15 season at the age of 18, gaining valuable experience against grown men in a structured, defense-first league. Over two seasons with TPS, he showed enough developmental promise to attract the attention of NHL scouts, even though he was not selected in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Undrafted but determined to play in North America, Georgiev accepted an invitation to the New York Rangers’ development camp. He impressed the organization with his athleticism, puck-tracking ability, and composure, and on 18 July 2017, he agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Rangers. That agreement opened the door to the NHL and launched the next phase of his career.
Alexandar Georgiev Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Georgiev’s earliest professional experience came in the Liiga with TPS, where he began adjusting to the speed and structure of senior hockey. The Finnish league, known for its tactical discipline, helped him refine his positioning and rebound control, two traits that would become hallmarks of his game. He spent two seasons in Turku, steadily earning more responsibility and showcasing the kind of poise that scouts look for in young goaltenders.
Despite his developmental progress, Georgiev went undrafted through the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Rather than discourage him, the snub fueled his motivation. He accepted a development-camp invitation from the Rangers and used the opportunity to demonstrate that he belonged at the NHL level. The Rangers agreed, signing him to a three-year, entry-level deal in July 2017.
New York Rangers Breakthrough (2017–2022)
Georgiev made his NHL debut on 22 February 2018, turning aside 38 shots in a 3–1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Less than two weeks later, on 3 March 2018, he earned his first NHL win, stopping 35 of 37 shots in a 3–2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. The early results confirmed that the Rangers had a promising young goaltender in their system.
His first career NHL shutout came on 21 November 2018, a 5–0 win over the New York Islanders. Just over two months later, on 10 February 2019, Georgiev turned in one of the most memorable performances of his Rangers tenure, making a career-high 55 saves in a 4–1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. That total ranked as the second-most saves in a single game in Rangers history and set a franchise record for most saves in regulation. He spent five seasons in New York, sharing the crease with several veteran goaltenders and continuing to develop his game.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2022–2024)
On 7 July 2022, the Rangers traded the negotiating rights to Georgiev to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for multiple draft picks. Three days later, on 10 July 2022, he signed a three-year, $10.2 million contract with the Avalanche. The trade reunited him with a contender and gave him a clearer path to a starting role.
Georgiev delivered a career-best campaign in 2022–23, leading the NHL with 40 wins in his first season in Colorado. He repeated as one of the league’s busiest and most productive goaltenders in 2023–24, recording 38 wins and helping the Avalanche remain competitive in the Western Conference. His two consecutive 38-plus-win seasons cemented his status as a frontline NHL goaltender.
San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres (2024–2025)
On 9 December 2024, the Avalanche traded Georgiev, along with Nikolai Kovalenko and draft considerations, to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The trade marked a fresh start on a rebuilding Sharks roster. He finished the 2024–25 season with San Jose, logging appearances as the team continued to develop its young core.
On 12 September 2025, Georgiev signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, signaling another opportunity to compete for a starting role. However, on 23 November 2025, he was placed on waivers for the purpose of contract termination. Two days later, on 25 November 2025, he officially signed a two-year contract with Spartak Moscow of the KHL, returning to Russian professional hockey for the first time in his career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Georgiev is recognized for his calm demeanor, strong positional play, and efficient movement in the crease. He relies on sound angles and active stick work rather than overcommitting with his athleticism, and he has shown the ability to handle high shot volumes with steady rebound control. His preparation and routine have allowed him to thrive in heavy-workload situations against top opponents.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most celebrated moments are his 55-save performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs in February 2019, his consecutive 40-win and 38-win seasons in Colorado, and his status as the first Bulgarian-born player to appear in an NHL game. Each milestone reflects a career built on persistence, technical refinement, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Alexandar Georgiev Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Alexandar Georgiyevich Georgiev has accumulated significant win totals across the Liiga and the NHL. His most productive stretch came in Colorado, where he led the NHL in wins during the 2022–23 season with 40 victories and followed it with 38 wins in 2023–24. He also earned wins in New York, San Jose, and during his earlier tenure in Finland with TPS.
NHL Highlights
Georgiev’s NHL win totals reflect his progression from a promising backup to a frontline starter. His first NHL victory came on 3 March 2018 against the Edmonton Oilers, and he added his first shutout on 21 November 2018 against the New York Islanders. His career-defining win total arrived in 2022–23, when he paced the entire league with 40 wins in a Colorado sweater, and he built on that success with 38 more wins the following season.
Other Wins and Performances
Before reaching the NHL, Georgiev posted two developmental seasons with TPS in the Liiga, gaining valuable experience and helping his team compete in Finland’s top league. Although exact win totals from his TPS years are not detailed in available records, his time in Turku was widely viewed as a successful bridge to North American professional hockey.
Alexandar Georgiev Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Alexandar Georgiyevich Georgiev was born and briefly raised in Ruse, Bulgaria, before his family moved to Russia shortly after his birth. He grew up in the Moscow region and developed his hockey skills within the Russian youth system, including stints with the Moscow-based Penguins and Khimik Voskresensk. His dual Bulgarian and Russian citizenship reflects his family’s cross-border journey and his international upbringing.
Personal Life
Georgiev has kept most details of his personal life private, and publicly available information about his spouse and children is limited. He is known to maintain an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his career updates and off-ice interests.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year brought significant movement in Georgiev’s career. He began the year with the San Jose Sharks after being acquired from Colorado in December 2024, continuing to log starts for the rebuilding franchise. In September 2025, he signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, signaling an opportunity to compete for a starting role in a new organization.
His time in Buffalo proved short-lived. On 23 November 2025, the Sabres placed Georgiev on waivers for the purpose of contract termination, ending his tenure with the team. Two days later, on 25 November 2025, he signed a two-year contract with Spartak Moscow of the KHL, marking his return to Russian professional hockey. The move positioned him to compete in one of Europe’s top leagues and represented a new chapter in his career.
Looking ahead, Georgiev is expected to serve as a key contributor for Spartak Moscow through the 2026–27 season. His experience across the NHL and Liiga gives him a strong foundation to anchor the Spartak goaltending group, and his two-year deal provides stability as he re-establishes himself in the KHL.