Alexander Karmanov Makes NHL History as Tallest Player Ever Drafted After Sharks Selection

Defenseman Alexander Karmanov made history Saturday when the San Jose Sharks selected him with the 201st overall selection in the seventh round of the 2026 NHL draft.

The NHL announced that the 7'1" Karmanov is the tallest player to ever get drafted:

Karmanov, who played for the OHL's North Bay Battalion last season, also became the first player born in Moldova to get selected in the NHL draft.

The selection of Karmanov is entirely about projection and potential since his experience and production at the major junior level are limited.

In 2025-26, Karmanov played in 15 games for the GOHL's Brantford Titans, recording three goals and four assists for seven points.

Making the move from a Junior B league to the OHL, Karmanov had no goals and two assists in 20 games for North Bay.

A major positive working in Karmanov's favor is his body composition, as NHL.com lists him at 272 pounds, meaning he doesn't have to add a ton of mass to his 7'1" frame in the coming years.

If Karmanov eventually makes it to the NHL, he will make history once again as the tallest player to play in an NHL regular-season game.

That record is currently shared by Zdeno Chára, Matt Rempe and Viktor Svedberg at 6'9", per EliteProspects.com.