Valentenko Training Camp Off to a Rocky Start

Eurohockey.com

The sturdy defenseman with a knack for blocking shots and have a one of the hardest shots in the AHL,but like a young Randy Johnson ( former Major League Baseball pitcher) he needs to gain control of his cannon of a shot.

He came very excited and nervous for the Rangers camp which was truncated with their European trip to the Czech Republic and Sweden. He suffered a groin injury and he made the mistake of not telling his coaches and had a rough night last Friday against in a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

"I hurt my groin and didn't tell the coaches because I don't want to quit the game," Valentenko said. "But it was my mistake. I couldn't really skate. I should have told them, but I wanted to play."

He came to the Rangers organization in the Scott Gomez with the Montreal Canadians after being a 5th round selection in the 2000 NHL draft.

Last fall, he was a very pleasant surprise and was among the final four cuts by the Rangers, but in this young season he was dispatched in the first round of cuts to Hartford and the AHL Connecticut Whale.

Valentenko also dispelled a rumor floating about he might return to Russia, while he confirmed two KHL teams he wouldn't identify have contacted him regarding playing with them, he made it clear where his heart stood.

"I don't want to talk about Russia. I'm going to be here (North America). "I want to stay here, I'm going to fight for the Rangers. I never quit."

He freely admitted he was likely trying to do too much, but considering the short time frame to impress Rangers brass it is kind of understandable.

I was expecting a little bit more from myself," Valentenko said. "I was too nervous this year. It's the last year of my contract, and it's all in my head. I keep saying, ‘I have to make it. I have to make it.' Last year was good, and this year I thought I was going to make it. But I didn't. The nerves started after I got here (from Russia). I didn't tell anybody."

Last year he had more nerves of steel fearlessly putting himself in front of many a slapshot and he finished with a team high plus 21 with former teammate and fellow Russian Evgeny Grachev."It obviously was not bad," said Valentenko regarding his second AHL season and first with Hartford. "I found my game after two bad years in Russia (with Neftekhimik). I came back in shape. Some games were not good, but most of the games were good for me. I feel much better in North America because I love the style of hockey here. It's faster, quicker and more hitting. I love it."

His shot scares his teammates to death in practice and he was wild in the first half, but work with former NHL defenseman an assistant coach J.J. Daigneault saw a major improvement in the second half of the season.

He will likely miss the nest week to heal his groin injury before being ready to play in the team regular opener in Glen Falls, NY against the Adirondack Phantoms October 9. He hopes to have his game back on track by October 20 when he celebrates his 24th birthday.

 

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