Alex Petrovic
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Birthday:
1992-03-03 |
Position:
D |
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Eligible for draft:
2010 |
Shoots:
Right |
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Drafted:
2010 |
Height:
6-4 |
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Acquired:
2nd round (36th overall), 2010 |
Weight:
193 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- B
History
2006-07: Alex Petrovic played for the Maple Leaf Athletic Club and was selected by the Red Deer Rebels in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft.
2007-08: Petrovic made his AHL debut in limited action with the Rebels. He scored 1 goal with 2 PIM in 10 games with Red Deer.
2008-09: Petrovic stepped into a full-time role in his WHL rookie season with Red Deer. He scored 1 goals with 12 assists and was -4 with 70 PIM in 66 games for the Rebels, who finished last in the WHL's Central division. Petrovic won a gold medal with Canada's entry at the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial U-18 Tournament.
2009-10: Petrovic's had a season of fits and starts in his second year with Red Deer. Played some of his best hockey and added an offensive dimension to his game after recovering from an early season ankle injury but did not seem to be as dominant towards the end of the season. Petrovic, in 57 games for the Rebels, scored 8 goals with 19 assists and was +3 with 87 PIM as Red Deer earned a playoff spot. Petrovic had no points and was -4 in the Rebels' four-game series with Saskatoon. He played for Team Cherry at the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game, picking up an assist in the 4-2 Team Cherry win.
2010-11: Petrovic put up his best offensive numbers while also leading Red Deer in penalty minutes in his third WHL season. Petrovic's 50 assists were third-most on the Central Division-champ Rebels and he also scored 7 goals and was +27 in 69 regular season games. He had 6 assists and was +2 with 23 PMs in nine playoff games as Red Deer swept the Edmonton Oil Kings before falling to Medicine Hat in a five-game, second round series. Petrovic signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Florida in April 2011.
2011-12: Petrovic made his pro hockey debut late in the year following his fourth WHL season with the Red Deer Rebels; stepping right into the lineup for Florida affiliate San Antonio. After finishing minus-one with no points or penalties in five regular season games for San Antonio, he led all Rampage defensemen in scoring in the playoffs with 2 goals and 4 assists in nine games. Both of his goals came on the power play. Petrovic was minus-six with 14 penalty minutes as San Antonio reached the second round. He scored 12 goals with 36 assists and was minus-10 with 141 penalty minutes in 68 games for the Rebels and was awarded the WHL's Bill Hunter trophy as the league's top defenseman. Red Deer missed the WHL playoffs; finishing fifth in the Central Division.
Talent Analysis
Petrovic is a physically dominant defender with a booming shot. Although he can move the puck out of his own zone, it is the physical game that Petrovic enjoys. He hits with authority, will drop the gloves with anyone, and punishes opponents in the corners. His offensive game is developing, and he has been adding weight and strength.
Future
Petrovic will begin his professional career in the upcoming season. His chances of playing the NHL this fall are slim at best, but he should enjoy a lot of ice time in the AHL, including significant minutes at the point on the power play. Petrovic has all the tools to step into an NHL role after a season or two of development marked by some spot duty with the Panthers as a call up when the opportunities arise.
