Alex J. Velischek was born on December 17, 1990. Velischek is an ice hockey

Ice hockey

Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...

 defenseman who currently plays for Providence College

Providence College

Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...

. Velischek, a Junior at Providence, was born in Quebec City

Quebec City

Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...

 but grew up in Kinnelon, New Jersey

Kinnelon, New Jersey

Kinnelon is a Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 10,248. It is a low density, suburban community, with many parks and trails....

. Velischek was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 of the NHL 123rd overall in the 5th Round of the 2009 NHL Draft. Velischek participated in the NHL prospect camp for the Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...

 in the summer of 2011.

Personal

He is the son of Kathleen and Randy Velischek

Randy Velischek

Randy John Velischek is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League from 1982–83 until 1991–92 for the Minnesota North Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Quebec Nordiques...

, who played ten season in the NHL after becoming one of the top defenseman to ever play at Providence College. Alex has one younger brother, Anders, and one younger sister, Abbey.

High School

Velischek played four years at Delbarton School

Delbarton School

Delbarton School is a private all-male Roman Catholic college preparatory school in Morristown, New Jersey, educating young men from 7th to 12th grade. Delbarton is a Catholic independent school directed by the Benedictine monks of St. Mary's Abbey....

 and served as team captain for one season. He finished with 16 goals, 35 assists and 51 points during his senior season. He was named First Team All-State in 2008 and 2009 and earned Second Team All-State honors in 2007. He was named 2009 New Jersey State Player of the Year. He helped Delbarton to three state titles in four seasons and helped Delbarton set a state record in wins with 27 wins in 2008-2009. He earned a Scholar Athlete Award in 2009. Velischek also played for the USA U-17 team in 2006.

Freshman Year (2009-2010)

Velischek played in all 34 games as a freshman and finished with 12 points on one goal and tied for third on the team with 11 assists. He had three multiple-point games in wins over Bowling Green

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...

, Massachusetts-Lowell

University of Massachusetts Lowell

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public university in Lowell, Massachusetts, and part of the University of Massachusetts system...

 and Boston University

Boston University

Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...

. Velischek scored a game-winning goal and notched an assist in the Friars' 4-2 victory over Massachusetts-Lowell on November 24th. He also tallied two assists against Boston University on February 19th. He earned Hockey East

Hockey East

Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....

 Rookie of the Week honors on 11/30. Velischek shared the Rev. Herman Schneider Most Valuable Freshman Award.

Sophmore Year (2010-2011)

Velischek played in just nine games as a sophomore. He totaled one goal and one assist for two points. His only goal of the season came in a 3-3 tie versus Maine

University of Maine

The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...

 on December 3rd. His assist came in a win over Northeastern on October 8th.