Mark Alt

Mark Alt
Alt with the Adirondack Phantoms in 2013
Born	(1991-10-18) October 18, 1991 (age 32)[ citation needed ] Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Right
team Former teams	Free Agent Philadelphia Flyers Colorado Avalanche Los Angeles Kings Straubing Tigers
NHL draft	53rd overall, 2010 Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career	2013–present

Mark Alt (born October 18, 1991^{[ citation needed ]}) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played under contract with Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He is the son of former Kansas City Chiefs player John Alt and older brother of Los Angeles Chargers player Joe Alt.

Early life

Alt was a two sport star at Cretin-Derham Hall High School in Minnesota. Having begun playing hockey at the age of 5, Alt was later part of the team that qualified for the 2009 Minnesota high school hockey tournament. ^[1] He was earlier drafted 2nd overall in the 2007 Futures United States Hockey League draft by the Chicago Steel, however elected to continue playing exclusively with Cretin-Derham Hall and was a Finalist for the 2010 Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award. ^[2]

On the football field, Alt played quarterback for the 2009 Minnesota state football championship team, throwing 26 touchdowns and running for 6. He was offered football scholarships to the University of Iowa, University of Akron and University of Kansas before ultimately opting against his father's advise to pursue a hockey career in committing to the University of Minnesota under the guide of head coach Don Lucia. ^[3]

Playing career

Amateur

Alt was selected 53rd overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. ^[4] He joined the Golden Gophers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in the 2010–11 season. After missing the first game of the season, he participated in 35 consecutive games. ^[5] His 10 points (two goals, eight assists) ranked fourth among Gophers defenders in points. He played in his first NCAA game on October 9, 2010, versus Massachusetts. In the same game, he logged his first career NCAA point, an assist on the game-winning goal. January 15, 2011, would mark the first NCAA goal of his career, as he scored versus divisional rival North Dakota.

Alt participated in the 2010 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, New York. ^[6] Focused on sharpening his defensive shutdown ability, Alt took on a leadership role as a sophomore in the 2011–12 season, while increasing his points totals with 5 goals and 22 points in 43 games. ^[3]

In his junior season in the 2012–13 season, Alt fully transitioned to a shutdown defense role in recording just 7 assists in 39 games for the Gophers. During the campaign, Alt's NHL rights were traded by the Hurricanes to the Philadelphia Flyers on January 13, 2013, along with Brian Boucher for Luke Pither. ^[7] For a second consecutive year he was selected to the WCHA All-Academic Team with a 4.0 grade average.

Professional

Philadelphia Flyers

After his third season of collegiate hockey with the Golden Gophers having scored 39 points in 117 collegiate games, Alt signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on April 7, 2013. ^[8] He immediately joined the Flyers American Hockey League primary affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms on an amateur try-out contract to finish the 2012–13 regular season. Appearing in 6 games with the Phantoms, Alt earned praise from veteran NHL player and blueline partner in Andreas Lilja. ^[9]

In his first full professional season, Alt was reassigned to continue with the Adirondack Phantoms for the duration of the 2013–14 season. He tied second on the club amongst defenseman with 22 assists and 26 points in 75 games. In the 2014–15 season, Alt was again reassigned to the AHL by the Flyers, joining new affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for their inaugural season. Limited to just 44 games through injury, Alt returned with 2 goals and 10 points. In continuing his upward development the Flyers, Alt was recalled on emergency, and made his NHL debut in playing 9:25 with Philadelphia in a 3-2 shootout defeat to the San Jose Sharks on March 28, 2015. ^[10]

In the final year of his entry-level contract, Alt remained exclusively in the AHL with the Phantoms in the 2015–16 season, appearing in a further 72 games, paired alongside Samuel Morin in a shutdown role, and while also collecting 4 goals and 19 points. ^[11] On June 26, 2016, he agreed to a one-year, two-way contract to remain with the Flyers. ^[12]

He was familiarly reassigned to return for his fourth season in the AHL in 2016–17. He was limited to just 40 games through injury, recording 1 goals and 11 points as the Phantoms reached the post-season for the first time in franchise history. Despite his reduced impact he placed second on the club in plus-minus (+8). As an impending restricted free agent, Alt was again re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract to return for his sixth season within the Flyers organization on June 27, 2017. ^[13]

In preparation for the 2017–18 season, Alt was among the last cuts at the Flyers training camp and was familiarly assigned to Lehigh Valley. ^[10] As the Phantoms best defenseman to start the year, Alt returned to the NHL for the first time in three seasons, as he was again used on an emergency basis in a 4-3 overtime defeat to the Arizona Coyotes on October 31, 2017. ^[14] He was later officially recalled and featured in 7 more games before he was returned to the Phantoms on December 30, 2017. Alt posted 10 points in 23 games in the AHL before receiving his third recall to Flyers on January 22, 2018. ^[15]

Colorado Avalanche

As the Flyers reserve depth blueline, Alt was a frequent healthy scratch and failed to feature in a game in over a month before he was placed on waivers in order to return to the AHL. On February 26, 2018, Alt was claimed off waivers by the Colorado Avalanche. ^[16] With the Avalanche vying for a playoff position, he assumed the same role with the club and remained in the press box until making his belated debut with Colorado in a 2-1 shootout victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on March 24, 2018. ^[17] He featured in 7 scoreless games with the Avalanche to end the regular season and remained a healthy scratch in their first-round defeat to the Nashville Predators in the playoffs.

On May 11, 2018, Alt gave up his impending free agent status in signing a two-year, two-way extension with the Avalanche. ^[18] After attending his first training camp with the Avalanche, Alt was among the last cuts prior to the 2018–19 season. He was reassigned to new AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, and was selected as team captain on October 4, 2018. ^[19]

Los Angeles Kings

Following two seasons as the Eagles captain, Alt left the Avalanche as a free agent at the conclusion of his contract. On October 9, 2020, Alt was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Los Angeles Kings. ^[20] In the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Alt made a return to the NHL in featuring in 2 games with the Kings before he was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, for the remainder of the campaign. As an alternate captain, Alt appeared in 29 regular season games with the Reign, collecting 2 goals and 7 points.

Later years

As a free agent from the Kings, Alt was unable to attract an NHL contract, opting to continue in the AHL in signing a one-year contract with the San Jose Barracuda, the primary affiliate to the San Jose Sharks, on August 2, 2021. ^[21] In the following 2021–22 season, Alt as an alternate captain appeared in 46 regular season games with the Barracuda, posting 3 goals and 8 points. On March 28, 2022, Alt was traded by the Barracuda to the Rochester Americans in exchange for Mason Jobst. ^[22]

As a free agent leading into the 2022–23 season, Alt was belatedly signed to his first contract abroad in agreeing to join German club, Straubing Tigers of the DEL, for the remainder of the season on February 8, 2023. ^[23]

Personal life

Alt's father, John, played left tackle in for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played in three Pro Bowls from 1984 to 1996. ^[24] Alt was born in Kansas City, while his father was playing for the Chiefs.

His younger brother, Joe, followed John's steps as a football player, playing offensive tackle. He played college football for Notre Dame, ^[24] and currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers. ^[25] Although Mark played football in high school as a quarterback, Joe said Mark pursued hockey because his body type contrasted his brother, suiting him better to hockey. ^[24]

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2007–08	Cretin-Derham Hall	USHS		17	1	5	6	4		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Cretin-Derham Hall	USHS		26	11	16	27	10		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Cretin-Derham Hall	USHS		24	6	14	20	20		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Minnesota Golden Gophers	WCHA		35	2	8	10	22		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Minnesota Golden Gophers	WCHA		43	5	17	22	43		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Minnesota Golden Gophers	WCHA		39	0	7	7	20		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Adirondack Phantoms	AHL		6	1	1	2	2		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Adirondack Phantoms	AHL		75	4	22	26	31		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Lehigh Valley Phantoms	AHL		44	2	8	10	18		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Lehigh Valley Phantoms	AHL		72	4	15	19	46		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Lehigh Valley Phantoms	AHL		40	1	10	11	10		5	0	0	0	2
2017–18	Lehigh Valley Phantoms	AHL		23	5	5	10	8		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		8	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		7	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Colorado Eagles	AHL		61	6	13	19	30		4	1	1	2	0
2018–19	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		2	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Colorado Eagles	AHL		55	5	8	13	35		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		2	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Ontario Reign	AHL		29	2	5	7	2		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	San Jose Barracuda	AHL		46	3	5	8	20		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Rochester Americans	AHL		14	0	1	1	4		10	0	2	2	0
2022–23	Straubing Tigers	DEL		5	0	0	0	0		7	1	1	2	0
NHL totals				20	0	0	0	4		—	—	—	—	—

Awards and honors

Award	Year
College
WCHA All-Academic Team	2012, 2013

References

1. "Cretin-Derham Hall's Mark Alt sticks to hockey with Minnesota Gophers". TwinCities.com. 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
2. "Mr. Hockey Finalists announced". Minnesota Wild. 2010-04-01. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
3. "Recruited to play football for Iowa, Alt chose Gophers Hockey". mndaily.com. 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
4. "Hurricanes 2010 draft choices". Carolina Hurricanes. 2010-07-01. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
5. "Mark Alt Gophers player profile". Golden Gophers. 2014-02-03. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
6. "9 returnees head U.S. 2011 Junior Evaluation camp". National Hockey League. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
7. "Canes Acquire Pither from Flyers for Boucher, Alt". Carolina Hurricanes. January 13, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
8. "Flyers ink Alt". Philadelphia Flyers. April 7, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
9. "Flyers prospects: Mark Alt 'definitely a prospect' after passing on chance to play QB at Iowa". nj.com. 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
10. "Mark Alt just fine with being Flyers emergency recall". Yahoo! Sports. 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
11. "Morin learning to keep it simple". highlandparkhockey.com. 2016-01-02. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
12. "Flyers re-sign Mark Alt to one-year, two-way deal". broadstreethockey.com. 2016-06-26. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
13. "Flyers re-sign defenseman Mark Alt to one-year contract". Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
14. "Coyotes defeat Flyers in OT for first win". National Hockey League. 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
15. "Flyers recall Alt, loan Sanheim to Phantoms". Philadelphia Flyers. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2018-02-22.
16. "Avalanche Claims Alt From Flyers". Colorado Avalanche . 2018-02-26. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
17. "Golden Knights fail to clinch, lose to Avalanche in Shootout". National Hockey League. 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2018-03-24.
18. "Avalanche signs Mark Alt". Colorado Avalanche. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
19. "Eagles name Mark Alt captain". Colorado Avalanche. 2018-10-04. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
20. "LA Kings sign defenseman Mark Alt and goaltender Troy Grosenick". Los Angeles Kings. October 11, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
21. "Barracuda sign former Eagles captain Mark Alt". San Jose Barracuda. August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
22. "Amerks, Barracuda make trade". American Hockey League. March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
23. Straubing Tigers (February 8, 2023). "Welcome to Straubing Mark!" (in German). Instagram . Retrieved February 8, 2023.
24. Karels, Carter (June 24, 2020). "Notre Dame sees potential in offensive tackle recruiting target Joe Alt". South Bend Tribune . Retrieved December 18, 2023.
25. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Joe Alt". Los Angeles Chargers. June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database