Alexei Melnichuk

Alexei Andreyvich Melnichuk (Алексей Андреевич Мельничук; born 29 June 1998) is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Playing career
Melnichuk played professionally in his native Russia, with SKA Saint Petersburg and Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) before signing as an undrafted free agent to an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks in May 2020.

During his maiden North American season in the 2020–21 campaign, he made his NHL debut with the Sharks appearing in relief on 11 February 2021, in a 6–2 defeat to the Los Angeles Kings. He was handed his first start on 8 May 2021, in a 4–5 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

In the following season, Melnichuk continued in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda. As the starting goaltender, Melnichuk collected 10 wins through 31 regular season games. At the NHL trade deadline, Melnichuk was dealt by the Sharks to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Antoine Morand on 21 March 2022. He was immediately reassigned to the Lightning's ECHL affiliate, the Orlando Solar Bears.

After completing the season with the Solar Bears, Melnichuk's KHL rights were traded by SKA Saint Petersburg to HC Sochi on 6 May 2022. Opting to halt his North American career, Melnichuk was later signed by Sochi to a two-year contract on 11 May 2022.

During the 2022–23 season, Melnichuk made 8 appearances with Sochi before he was initially loaned to Traktor Chelyabinsk for the remainder of the season on 21 October 2022. After two months with Traktor, Melnichuk was again on the move and signed a two-way contract with Avangard Omsk on 21 December 2022.

Melnichuk made just two appearances with Avangard Omsk before his rights were traded in the off-season in a return to former club, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod on 20 July 2023. He was promptly signed to a one-year contract for the 2023–24 season. Before making an appearance with Torpedo, Melnichuk left the club following an injury and moved to fellow KHL outfit, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, on 28 December 2023.