There's big news in North Bay, Ont.
Alexander Karmanov, a seven-foot, 265-pound defenceman, is slated to make his OHL debut Thursday for the North Bay Battalion against the Sarnia Sting, Battalion coach Ryan Oulahen told reporters Wednesday.
Marmanov, a 17-year-old from Moldova, will become the tallest player in CHL history.
“I think tomorrow’s a great time to get him in the lineup,” Oulahen said. “That’s one of those things where he’s earned it. He’s impressed everybody with his attitude.”
The Battalion signed Karmanov last week after he started the season with the Greater Ontario Hockey League's Brantford Titans.
The OHL's Brantford Bulldogs picked Karmanov in the third round of this year's CHL import draft. He had three goals, four assists and 68 penalty minutes in 15 games with the Bulldogs' top affiliate.
“He comes here quickly last week, got in a quick practice before we hit the road, and now this week he’s had more time to really see where he’s at,” said Oulahen.
“His abilities, for a big man, he can really move. He’s been impressive that way. We’ve had some battle drills and things like that and like what we see. I think he’s somebody that can really help us.”
Karmanov has made a commitment to play NCAA hockey at Penn State University starting in 2027-28.
Karmanov played with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights under-16 team last season in Pennsylvania. He played in Russia and Belarus in 2023-24.
New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe and Hockey Hall of Famer Zdeno Chara, both six-foot-nine, are the tallest players in NHL history.
