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Sharks Draft 7-Foot Moldovan Defenseman, Tallest Ever

6/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The San Jose Sharks drafted 7-foot-1 defenseman Alexander Karmanov 201st overall, making him the tallest player ever drafted and the first Moldovan.
He played 20 OHL games and will return to North Bay before joining Penn State in 2027-28.
Coach Chris Morehouse said Karmanov’s size and athleticism give him a chance despite limited scoring.
Fans dubbed him “the Wemby of the NHL” because he stands 216 cm tall and weighs 127 kg.

History

Historical Context

San Jose Sharks drafted Alexander Karmanov, a player, extending the NHL’s trend of selecting towering European players. The choice mirrors earlier picks of two European defensemen—Slovak Zdeno Chara, listed among past draftees, and Russian Andrei Zyuzin, previously selected by the Sharks—showing the league’s expanding focus on size and international future talent

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Story summary

The San Jose Sharks drafted 7-foot-1 defenseman Alexander Karmanov 201st overall, making him the tallest player ever drafted and the first Moldovan.
He played 20 OHL games and will return to North Bay before joining Penn State in 2027-28.
Coach Chris Morehouse said Karmanov’s size and athleticism give him a chance despite limited scoring.
Fans dubbed him “the Wemby of the NHL” because he stands 216 cm tall and weighs 127 kg.

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