Edmonton Oilers trade Alex Stalock to San Jose Sharks for future considerations

Originally claimed by the Oilers on waivers in early 2021, Stalock never did suit up in Edmonton after being diagnosed with a heart condition that popped up as a result of COVID-19. In March of last year, Michael Russo from The Atletic spoke to Stalock about his experience with COVID and how the tests ordered by doctors discovered an issue with his heart that nearly changed his life forever:

On Nov. 19, Stalock was tested for the coronavirus in order to get cleared to officially enter the Wild’s TRIA Rink practice facility in order to get ready for the upcoming hockey season. The next day, at 3 o’clock, he was driving to his friend’s cabin with his wife and three children when the Wild team doctor called to tell him he tested positive for the virus. Stalock’s wife, Felicia, immediately put a mask on herself and their children, and the family turned around to return to the Twin Cities.

Still, Stalock didn’t believe he had the virus. He had no symptoms and maintains he still never had a single symptom from having the virus.

In fact, after returning to the Twin Cities, Stalock said he had multiple negative tests and never once had another positive test.

He thought it had to be a false positive and asked to get clearance to the Wild’s practice facility.

But following NHL protocol, doctors told him he first needed to go through a cardiac screening even though he was symptom-free.

Stalock took an EKG and echocardiogram figuring it was just a formality and, bluntly, a waste of time. But doctors immediately noticed an abnormality and ordered an MRI to get a better look at his heart.

At the time, the Wild listed Stalock as having an upper-body injury until further tests revealed that the issue he was battling was a heart condition known as myocarditis. The Myocarditis Foundation describes myocarditis as, “a disease that causes inflammation of the heart muscle. This inflammation enlarges and weakens the heart, creates scar tissue, and forces it to work harder to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body.”

Back in January, Stalock was cleared to resume his playing career and joined the Bakersfield Condors where he got into five games and posted a 3-1-0 record to go along with a .862 save% and 3.81 GAA. Now a member of the Sharks organization, Stalock will continue to work his way back to an NHL dream that had nearly slipped away, and I’ll be happy to see him get a chance to get back in there. Despite being traded away, it’s hard not to feel good for the guy.

While we have no idea what the Oilers get back in this ‘future considerations’ return for Stalock, one can only hope that the Hockey Gords will gift us some good karma at the very least. All the best, Alex. We’ll be cheering for you.

ALEX STALOCK’S CAREER SO FAR