Sorry to hear Connecticut Whale defenseman Pavel Valentenko has signed a two-year contract to play with Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League in his native Russia, but it’s certainly understandable.
Though Valentenko had his best statistical season in five in the AHL despite missing 16 games because of injury, he never got called up by the parent New York Rangers. Valentenko had the hardest shot on the Whale but was rarely used on the power play largely because he was so valuable on the penalty kill thanks to his shot-blocking ability. He tied his career high with five goals, had career highs in assists (16) and points (21) and shared the team plus-minus lead (plus-12) with wing Carl Hagelin, who was called up in late November. Valentenko also had three assists and was plus-2 in nine playoff games. Continue reading
We were just looking at the list of free agents for next season that the Rangers/Whale will be dealing with.
BY: Bob Crawford, Voice of the CTWhale
