The Brantford Bulldogs selected a behemoth of a blue-liner in the 2025 CHL Import Draft.
Alexander Karmanov is a seven-foot left-shot defenceman who weighs 273 pounds, and the OHL organization chose him with the 172nd overall pick.
The 17-year-old Russian-Moldovan skater played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights 16U AAA team during the 2024-25 season, recording 15 goals and 18 assists in 25 games.
Karmanov committed to Penn State University last year and is set to begin his NCAA career in 2027–28.
He is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, where he could make history as both the tallest player and the first Moldovan to be selected.
The CHL Import Draft is an annual event in which every club in the CHL can draft players from outside North America. CHL teams may carry up to three import players on their rosters.
