Alexander Holtz Bio
Alexander Gabriel Holtz is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who is a forward for the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL. He was selected seventh overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2020 NHL entry draft. Holtz was born on January 23, 2002, in Stockholm, Sweden, where he began his hockey career at a young age. Holtz has played for various teams, most recently moving to the Golden Knights after previously playing with the Devils.
Early Life and Background
Holtz was born on 23 January 2002 in Stockholm. His father, Magnus Holtz (born Andersson), is a former ice hockey player who played two seasons for Västerviks IK. As a youngster, Holtz played several sports such as football, tennis, golf, and basketball, but eventually chose to focus on hockey. Holtz already made his debut as a 13-year-old in a junior context when he played in U16 with Nacka/Farsta FoC and their U16 division 1 team during the 2014–15 season. He was named for the Stockholm South team in the national junior hockey tournament TV-pucken in 2017 and scored 6 goals and 10 points in 6 games. Holtz was awarded the Sven Tumba award as the best forward of the tournament.
Path to Hockey
He started his hockey career in Boo IF at a young age and has since childhood followed his big brother who also played hockey. His father was the coach of Nacka HK at this time. Then there were two more seasons with the U16 team in Nacka where he performed so well that he was promoted to their J18 Elit team in the 2016–17 season. During those years, he averaged almost two points per game – even though he was two years younger than most he played against. Holtz moved to Djurgårdens IF for the 2017–18 season to play in the club’s junior teams. At the conclusion of the J20 SuperElit regular season, Holtz was the leading goal scorer with 30 goals in 38 games.
Alexander Holtz Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Holtz made his professional debut in the Swedish Hockey League on 29 January 2019, in a home game against Färjestad BK. Holtz began the 2019–20 season by playing with Djurgårdens IF in the 2019–20 Champions Hockey League, where he scored two goals in the first game against Polish GKS Tychy. He recorded his first SHL point in the league premiere on 14 September when assisting Michael Haga to the 1–1 equalizer in the 4–2 win against Linköping HC. In his first full season in the SHL in the 2020–21 campaign, Holtz appeared in a career-high 40 regular season games with Djurgårdens IF collecting seven goals and 11 assists to set new career mark of 18 points. After co-leading the club in postseason scoring with four points in three games, Holtz signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils on 19 April 2021.
New Jersey Devils Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Holtz moved to North America permanently for the 2021–22 season. Following the conclusion of the NHL pre-season, Holtz was assigned to the AHL’s Utica Comets, where he finished among the top rookie scorers, recording 26 goals and 51 points in 52 games. In one of a few brief stints with the Devils, Holtz scored his first NHL point, an assist on a goal by Pavel Zacha against the Florida Panthers on 9 November 2021. Holtz made the Devils’ NHL roster for the 2022–23 season but failed to retain a permanent roster spot, playing only 19 games with the Devils and 14 with the Comets. He scored his first NHL goal, the Devils’ first goal of the season, on 13 October 2022 against the Philadelphia Flyers. His first multi-point NHL game came on 4 January 2023, scoring a goal and an assist against the Detroit Red Wings in his 25th NHL game.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2024–Present)
On 29 June 2024, during the 2024 NHL entry draft, Holtz was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Paul Cotter and a third-round pick in 2025. Holtz scored his first goal with Vegas on October 22, 2024, contributing the Golden Knights’ fourth goal in a 6–1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. As a restricted free agent following the 2024–25 season, Holtz was unable to agree to a new deal with Vegas prior to the start of their 2025–26 training camp. He signed a professional tryout agreement with the team on September 18, 2025, in order to allow him to attend camp while negotiations on a full contract continued. He and the Golden Knights came to terms on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $837,500 on October 7.
Playing Style and Strengths
Holtz is known for his strong offensive instincts and goal-scoring ability. His right-handed shot and positioning in the offensive zone make him a constant threat on the power play. Holtz has demonstrated good hockey IQ and playmaking abilities to complement his scoring prowess, allowing him to contribute at both even strength and on special teams.
Notable Events and Milestones
Holtz represented Sweden at various junior levels, earning recognition for his outstanding performance in the TV-pucken tournament where he won the Sven Tumba award as the best forward. His selection seventh overall in the 2020 NHL Draft marked a significant milestone in his career, demonstrating his potential as a top-tier talent. His first NHL goal with the Devils came in the season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers, marking the beginning of his professional journey in the world’s top hockey league.
Alexander Holtz Career Wins
Holtz has accumulated impressive statistics throughout his career, particularly in the junior and AHL levels before establishing himself in the NHL. His goal-scoring prowess has been evident at every level he has competed, from junior hockey in Sweden to professional play in North America.
SHL Highlights
In his first full season with Djurgårdens IF in the Swedish Hockey League, Holtz recorded seven goals and 11 assists in 40 games during the 2020–21 season. His performance in the J20 SuperElit regular season was particularly noteworthy, as he led all players with 30 goals in 38 games. Holtz also made an immediate impact in the Champions Hockey League, scoring two goals in his debut game.
Other Wins & Performances
During his time with the AHL’s Utica Comets, Holtz emerged as one of the top rookie scorers in the league, recording 26 goals and 51 points in 52 games during the 2021–22 season. His professional debut with Djurgårdens IF came in January 2019, and he quickly established himself as a goal-scoring threat at the professional level. Holtz’s performance in the TV-pucken tournament, where he scored 6 goals and 10 points in 6 games and earned the Sven Tumba award, demonstrated his exceptional talent from a young age.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHL | 7 | 18 | 0 |
| AHL | 26 | 51 | 0 |
| NHL | 5 | 10 | 0 |
Alexander Holtz Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Alexander Holtz comes from a hockey family, with his father Magnus Holtz (born Andersson) being a former professional ice hockey player who played two seasons for Västerviks IK. His older brother David also played hockey, which likely influenced Alexander’s decision to pursue the sport from a young age. Magnus Holtz served as Alexander’s coach during his early years with Nacka HK, providing both parental guidance and professional coaching.
Personal Life
Alexander Holtz was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, where he developed his hockey skills. He played multiple sports in his childhood, including football, tennis, golf, and basketball, before focusing exclusively on hockey. Holtz’s dedication to hockey from a young age has been a key factor in his development as a professional player, allowing him to rise through the ranks of Swedish junior hockey and eventually reach the NHL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season marks Alexander Holtz’s first full season with the Vegas Golden Knights after being traded from the New Jersey Devils in June 2024. After beginning the season on a professional tryout agreement, Holtz secured a two-year contract with an average annual value of $837,500, indicating the team’s confidence in his abilities. Holtz scored his first goal with Vegas in October 2024 against the Los Angeles Kings and will look to build on that momentum in the 2025–26 season. As he continues to adapt to his new team and the Western Conference, Holtz will aim to establish himself as a consistent offensive contributor for the Golden Knights, potentially providing additional depth to their forward group as they contend for another Stanley Cup championship.
