Last Updated on November 14, 2026 by Carmen Marins
Alex Nedeljkovic is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on January 7, 1996, in Parma, Ohio, he grew up in a Serbian-American family that played an important role in his development as a professional hockey player.
His parents are Nenad “Butch” Nedeljkovic and Theresa Nedeljkovic. He is the oldest of four children, with one younger brother and two younger sisters.
In his personal life, Alex is married to Emma Nedeljkovic (née Flageole-Bray), a nurse whom he met during his junior hockey career with the Niagara IceDogs. The couple married in July 2021 and welcomed their first son, Greyson Nedeljkovic, in 2023.
In September 2026, Alex referred to Greyson as his oldest boy, indicating that the couple also has at least one younger son. However, additional details about their younger child have not been widely documented.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Wife: Who Is Emma Nedeljkovic?
Alex Nedeljkovic is married to Emma Nedeljkovic, formerly known as Emma Flageole-Bray.
Emma is a nurse who studied at Michigan State University. She has supported Alex throughout several stages of his professional hockey career, including his years with the Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and San Jose Sharks.
Their relationship has been documented through interviews published by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and regional hockey publications.
How Did Alex Nedeljkovic Meet Emma?
Alex and Emma met while he was playing junior hockey for the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League.
At the time, Nedeljkovic was developing into one of the leading young American goaltenders.
Emma lived in the Niagara region and eventually began a relationship with him.
As Alex progressed into professional hockey, the couple maintained their relationship despite the travel and relocation associated with his career.
He later moved into the Carolina Hurricanes organization, spending considerable time with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League.
Emma continued supporting him during those years.
A profile published by Ohio Hockey Digest described how the couple traveled to Ohio to visit Alex’s family while he was playing professionally.
They also shared an interest in spending time with their dogs and maintaining close relationships with relatives.
When Did Alex Nedeljkovic Get Married?
Alex Nedeljkovic married Emma in July 2021.
Interestingly, the day of their marriage coincided with one of the most significant transactions of his NHL career.
On July 22, 2021, the Carolina Hurricanes traded him to the Detroit Red Wings.
According to an official Detroit Red Wings interview published on September 25, 2021, Alex was preparing to get married when his agent called to inform him about the trade.
He and Emma were about to meet with a judge for their wedding when the telephone rang.
Alex answered the call and learned that he would be moving to Detroit.
He later recalled that Emma was initially frustrated by the interruption but became excited when he explained the news.
The occasion created an unusual combination of personal celebration and professional change.
A wedding website associated with the couple also lists July 8, 2023, suggesting that a separate wedding celebration was planned for that date. Their earlier marriage, however, is established by Alex’s own 2021 interview.
What Does Emma Nedeljkovic Do for a Living?
Emma Nedeljkovic is a nurse and a graduate of Michigan State University’s nursing program.
Her education was discussed in a February 2024 interview published by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
According to Alex, Emma discovered that she was pregnant with their first child on the same day she graduated from nursing school.
The couple celebrated both achievements as important milestones in their family life.
Emma has generally maintained a private public profile outside her husband’s professional hockey career.
However, she has occasionally appeared in team interviews and reporting about Alex’s life away from the ice.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Alex Nedeljkovic and his wife Emma have a son named Greyson, born in 2023.
During a September 2026 interview with San Jose Hockey Now, Alex described Greyson as his oldest boy. The wording indicates that the family has at least one younger son, although the younger child’s name and birth date have not been independently established in the sources reviewed.
Greyson Nedeljkovic – Alex Nedeljkovic’s First Son
Greyson Nedeljkovic is Alex and Emma’s eldest child.
He was born in approximately April 2023, during the final months of Alex’s time with the Detroit Red Wings organization.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in March 2024 that Greyson would celebrate his first birthday the following month.
His birth brought significant changes to Alex’s everyday life.
In a February 2024 interview with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Alex discussed how becoming a father had influenced his priorities.
He explained that he had previously enjoyed playing video games during his free time.
However, after Greyson was born, he began spending much more of his time caring for his son and enjoying family activities.
How Did Alex Nedeljkovic Choose His Son’s Name?
Alex and Emma chose the name Greyson after struggling to agree on a name for their first child.
According to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ February 2024 interview, Alex was familiar with a Detroit-based clothing company called Greyson Clothiers.
He liked the name and eventually suggested it to Emma.
The couple agreed that Greyson would be a suitable name for their son.
The story illustrates how a relatively ordinary part of Alex’s life became connected to an important family decision.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Younger Son
In September 2026, Nedeljkovic discussed spending the NHL offseason with his family in Michigan.
He referred to Greyson as his oldest boy while describing their activities together.
The statement suggests that Alex and Emma have welcomed another son since Greyson’s birth.
However, available reporting does not establish the younger child’s name, exact date of birth, or other personal details.
For that reason, those details should not be presented as confirmed facts.
How Alex Nedeljkovic Spends Time With His Children
Alex has spoken enthusiastically about spending time with his children during breaks from professional hockey.
In his September 28, 2026, interview with San Jose Hockey Now, he described a relaxing summer in Michigan.
The family spent time swimming, enjoying warm weather, and participating in outdoor activities.
Alex also took his eldest son to the golf course on Tuesday mornings.
They practiced hitting golf balls at the driving range and occasionally attempted to play nine holes together.
He enjoyed watching Greyson develop new skills and become more confident.
Alex described those experiences as some of the most enjoyable parts of being a father.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Parents
Alex Nedeljkovic was born to Nenad Nedeljkovic and Theresa Nedeljkovic in Ohio, United States.
His father is also known as Butch Nedeljkovic.
Their names are confirmed in a May 27, 2021, interview published by ABC11/WTVD, which featured both parents discussing their son’s hockey career.
His mother is a nurse, while his father has worked outside professional hockey.
Nenad “Butch” Nedeljkovic – Alex Nedeljkovic’s Father
Nenad Nedeljkovic, commonly called Butch, is Alex Nedeljkovic’s father.
He comes from a Serbian-American family with ancestral roots in western Serbia.
Butch supported Alex’s sporting ambitions from childhood, regularly accompanying him to practices and games.
According to an official Pittsburgh Penguins interview, Alex initially learned to skate through recreational programs arranged by his parents.
One day, while leaving the rink, he noticed a goaltending clinic.
He became interested in the position and told his parents that he wanted to try playing in goal.
The decision eventually shaped his professional hockey career.
How Butch Nedeljkovic Influenced His Son
Butch encouraged Alex to work hard and develop his skills as a goaltender.
He also emphasized the importance of handling the puck intelligently rather than simply making saves.
In January 2025, after scoring his first NHL goal, Alex recalled conversations with his father about puck handling.
Butch encouraged him to look for teammates and make purposeful passes instead of automatically clearing the puck along the boards.
Those lessons helped Alex develop confidence when playing the puck outside his crease.
His passing abilities later became particularly important when he made NHL history with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Butch Nedeljkovic’s Reaction to His Son’s NHL Success
In May 2021, Butch appeared in an ABC11 interview about Alex’s success with the Carolina Hurricanes.
He recalled that Alex had dreamed of becoming an NHL player since elementary school.
During a school assignment, Alex created a poster describing his ambition to play professional hockey.
His parents kept the poster and later shared it when he achieved that dream.
Butch also discussed the challenges Alex had faced as a young goaltender.
Because Alex was smaller than some other prospects, he occasionally encountered doubts about his ability to compete at the highest level.
However, his father believed that persistence and confidence helped him overcome those obstacles.
Butch and Theresa also traveled to Vancouver to watch Alex make his first NHL start in January 2019.
Theresa Nedeljkovic – Alex Nedeljkovic’s Mother
Theresa Nedeljkovic is Alex Nedeljkovic’s mother and a professional nurse.
She helped raise Alex and his three younger siblings in the Cleveland area of Ohio.
Her occupation was confirmed during a February 2024 interview published by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Like her son and daughter-in-law Emma, Theresa has professional experience in nursing.
She supported Alex throughout his youth hockey career, regularly attending games and encouraging him during difficult periods.
When Alex moved to Michigan to pursue stronger competition, the family eventually relocated to remain close to him.
That decision allowed his parents and siblings to support his development while maintaining their family relationships.
Theresa Nedeljkovic’s Advice to Alex
Theresa has been an important source of encouragement throughout Alex’s professional career.
During her May 2021 ABC11 interview, she discussed the message she regularly gave her son before games.
Her advice emphasized confidence, hard work, proper positioning, and playing responsibly.
Alex’s parents also highlighted his determination to succeed despite facing criticism about his size.
Theresa recalled that he remained confident without becoming arrogant.
She believed his willingness to practice and improve was one of his greatest strengths.
Her support continued as Alex moved through junior hockey, the American Hockey League, and eventually the NHL.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Siblings: Meet His Brother and Two Sisters
Alex Nedeljkovic has three younger siblings: one brother and two sisters.
Their relationships are confirmed in interviews published by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sportsnet, and ABC11.
Alex is the oldest of the four Nedeljkovic children.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Younger Brother
Alex Nedeljkovic has one younger brother who grew up with him in the Cleveland area.
His brother was among the relatives who supported his transition into higher-level youth hockey.
According to Sportsnet, the family relocated to the Detroit area after Alex began playing competitive hockey in Michigan.
The move allowed his younger brother and sisters to remain close to him.
In a 2014 interview with The Hockey Writers, Alex specifically thanked his brother and sisters for supporting his development.
He explained that his siblings attended games whenever possible and encouraged him to keep improving.
His brother has also remained involved in family gatherings as the siblings have grown older.
However, his brother’s name, occupation, and personal relationships have not been consistently established in reliable public reporting.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Two Younger Sisters
Alex Nedeljkovic has two younger sisters.
Both grew up with him and their younger brother in Ohio before the family relocated to Michigan.
Although Alex became the family’s most publicly recognized member through professional hockey, his sisters remained important supporters.
In a December 2024 interview published by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Alex discussed family Christmas traditions.
He explained that relatives, including his brother and sisters, enjoyed playing card games together.
One of their favorite family activities was playing UNO, which often became highly competitive.
His sisters also continued attending important hockey games.
In March 2026, Alex revealed that both sisters, his parents, brother, aunts, and other relatives were in attendance when the San Jose Sharks played the Columbus Blue Jackets in Ohio.
The game was particularly meaningful because it brought him back near the community where he grew up.
The names and occupations of his sisters have not been reliably verified through the available hockey interviews.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Serbian Family Background
Alex Nedeljkovic was born in the United States but has Serbian ancestry through his father’s family.
His paternal grandparents came from a village near Ljubovija in western Serbia.
Alex has publicly expressed pride in his Serbian heritage.
In a February 2024 interview with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he discussed visiting his grandparents’ hometown.
He described the village as a small mountain community where residents knew one another and everyday life was very different from the United States.
During his visit, he learned more about the place where his grandparents had grown up.
The experience helped him appreciate his family’s history and cultural traditions.
Why Does Alex Nedeljkovic Wear a Serbian Cross on His Mask?
Alex has used his goaltending mask to recognize his Serbian heritage.
The back of his mask has featured a Serbian cross, a traditional symbol associated with Serbian national and cultural identity.
The symbol is also connected to his family’s Eastern Orthodox Christian traditions.
His birthday, January 7, coincides with Christmas Day in the Serbian Orthodox calendar.
He has spoken about the significance of that coincidence and his family’s continued connection to Serbian customs.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Childhood and Hockey Development
Alex Nedeljkovic was born on January 7, 1996, in Parma, Ohio, near Cleveland.
He began playing organized hockey through local youth programs, including the Parma Flyers and Cleveland Junior Barons.
His interest in goaltending developed after watching a goalie clinic at a local rink.
He gradually established himself as one of Ohio’s promising young goaltenders.
As his abilities improved, the family recognized that he needed more challenging competition.
Alex moved to the Detroit area during his teenage years, where he joined the Belle Tire AAA organization.
His parents and three younger siblings subsequently relocated to Michigan.
The move helped him continue developing without becoming permanently separated from his immediate family.
How His Family Supported His Junior Hockey Career
In 2012, Nedeljkovic joined the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League.
During the 2012–13 season, he became the team’s starting goaltender and helped Plymouth reach the Western Conference Final.
He recorded a 2.28 goals-against average and won the F.W. “Dinty” Moore Trophy for the best goals-against average among OHL rookie goaltenders.
His performances earned him recognition as one of the most promising young American goaltenders.
During a January 2014 interview with The Hockey Writers, he emphasized the importance of his family.
He specifically thanked his parents, younger brother, and sisters for attending games and encouraging him.
The Carolina Hurricanes selected him in the second round, 37th overall, of the 2014 NHL Draft.
He later played for the Flint Firebirds and Niagara IceDogs before entering professional hockey.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Professional Hockey Career
After completing his junior career, Nedeljkovic began playing professionally in the Carolina Hurricanes organization.
He developed through the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League and the Florida Everblades of the ECHL.
He made his NHL debut on January 17, 2017, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
His first NHL start came on January 23, 2019, against the Vancouver Canucks, when his parents traveled to attend the game.
He helped the Charlotte Checkers win the Calder Cup in 2019 and received the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding goaltender.
During the 2020–21 NHL season, he became Carolina’s leading goaltender and finished third in voting for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.
He subsequently played for the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins before joining the San Jose Sharks.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Historic NHL Goal
One of the most memorable moments in his professional career occurred on January 17, 2025.
While playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Buffalo Sabres, Nedeljkovic scored an empty-net goal and recorded an assist in the same game.
He also made 40 saves as Pittsburgh won 5-2.
He became the first goaltender in NHL history to record both a goal and an assist in one game.
The achievement also made him the first goaltender to score goals in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL.
Following the game, Alex recalled the puck-handling advice he received from his father during childhood.
Butch had encouraged him to make intelligent passes and take advantage of opportunities when handling the puck.
Those lessons contributed to an unusual accomplishment that became part of NHL history.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s Move to the San Jose Sharks
On July 1, 2025, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
The move brought him to California, where he joined a young Sharks roster that included fellow goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.
During the 2025–26 season, Nedeljkovic appeared in 40 NHL games and recorded 18 victories.
He provided experience and competition in goal while helping San Jose’s younger players develop.
On March 6, 2026, the Sharks signed him to a two-year, $6 million contract extension.
The agreement carries an annual average value of $3 million and runs through the 2027–28 NHL season.
Although Alex plays professionally in California, his family continues spending offseason time in Michigan.
In September 2026, he described enjoying a relaxing summer with Emma and their children, including taking his oldest son Greyson to the golf course.
His comments demonstrate that spending time with family remains a major priority alongside his NHL responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alex Nedeljkovic’s Family
Who is Alex Nedeljkovic’s wife?
Alex Nedeljkovic is married to Emma Nedeljkovic, née Flageole-Bray, a nurse who graduated from Michigan State University.
When did Alex Nedeljkovic get married?
Alex married Emma in July 2021. He was informed about his trade from Carolina to Detroit while preparing for their wedding.
How did Alex Nedeljkovic meet his wife?
He met Emma while playing junior hockey for the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League.
Does Alex Nedeljkovic have children?
Yes. His eldest son is Greyson, born in 2023. During a September 2026 interview, Alex referred to Greyson as his oldest boy, indicating at least one younger son.
Who is Alex Nedeljkovic’s son?
His eldest son is Greyson Nedeljkovic, who was born around April 2023.
Who are Alex Nedeljkovic’s parents?
His parents are Nenad “Butch” Nedeljkovic and Theresa Nedeljkovic. They raised him and his three younger siblings in Ohio before relocating to Michigan.
Who is Alex Nedeljkovic’s father?
His father is Nenad Nedeljkovic, commonly known as Butch. He encouraged Alex’s hockey development and taught him important puck-handling skills.
Who is Alex Nedeljkovic’s mother?
His mother is Theresa Nedeljkovic, a nurse who supported his hockey career throughout childhood and his professional development.
How many siblings does Alex Nedeljkovic have?
Alex Nedeljkovic has three younger siblings: one brother and two sisters.
What are Alex Nedeljkovic’s siblings’ names?
The names of his younger brother and two sisters have not been consistently verified in reliable public hockey reporting.
Is Alex Nedeljkovic Serbian?
Alex is American by birth and nationality, but he has Serbian ancestry through his father’s family. His paternal grandparents came from western Serbia.
Where is Alex Nedeljkovic from?
He was born in Parma, Ohio, near Cleveland, and later moved to Michigan to develop his hockey career.
What NHL team does Alex Nedeljkovic play for?
Alex Nedeljkovic plays for the San Jose Sharks. He joined the team in July 2025 and signed a two-year contract extension in March 2026.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
