Most people would hesitate to confront a 7-foot-1, 280-pound hockey player. Liam Lefebvre, however, isn’t like most people.
During the 2026 Rookie Faceoff, Lefebvre, a prospect for the Los Angeles Kings, dropped the gloves with San Jose Sharks prospect Alexander Karmanov. Karmanov holds the distinction of being the tallest player ever selected in the NHL Draft.
This matchup was certainly one of the most striking size mismatches seen in a hockey fight. The incident occurred late in the third period during San Jose’s 8-1 victory. Karmanov’s check on Kings defenseman Jakub Dvorak led to Dvorak’s upper-body injury, causing tension on the ice as several Kings players approached Karmanov.
Liam Lefebvre, standing at 6-foot-3, decided to step up. Normally, his height is more than adequate, but next to Karmanov, it was a different story. Despite this, Lefebvre decided to take on the challenge.
During the fight, Karmanov’s larger reach gave him an edge, eventually taking Lefebvre to the ice. Making the most of the moment, Karmanov skated to the penalty box, encouraging cheers from the San Jose fans.
Selected 201st overall by the Sharks in the NHL Draft, Karmanov has gained attention not only for his size but for his on-ice behavior. He described the fight as a natural part of the game’s flow. “I asked the guy if he wanted to go,” Karmanov explained to the media. “Yeah, we went.”
This encounter served as a reminder of the excitement and unpredictability inherent in hockey games.
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