Boris Valabik

Kitchener Rangers (2003–2006)

After playing the 2002–03 season with HC Nitra U-20 team in his hometown of Nitra, Valabik was drafted by the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the first round, 48th overall, in the 2003 CHL Import Draft.

Valabik played in his first career OHL game on September 19, 2003, as he was held pointless in a 10–4 victory over the Plymouth Whalers. He earned his first career OHL point on October 17, 2003, an assist in a 6–2 loss to the Owen Sound Attack. Valabik scored his first career OHL goal on November 7, 2003, against Josh Disher of the Erie Otters in an 8–1 win. He finished the 2003–04 season with three goals and 16 points in 68 games, as well as accumulating 118 penalty minutes, helping the Rangers make the playoffs. In the post-season, however, Valabik was held pointless in five games, as Kitchener was eliminated by the Plymouth Whalers in the Western Conference quarter-finals. After the season, Valabik was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team.

Valabik struggled offensively in the 2004–05 season, as he earned only four assists in 43 games during the season, as well as recording 231 penalty minutes. In 15 playoff games, Valabik was held off the scoresheet, as the Rangers eventually lost to the London Knights in the Western Conference finals.

He returned to Kitchener for his final season in 2005–06, where in 52 games, Valabik scored a goal and 10 points, as well as 216 penalty minutes, as Kitchener made the post-season once again. In the playoffs, Valabik recorded two assists in five games as the club lost to the Owen Sound Attack in the Western Conference quarter-finals.

Atlanta Thrashers (2004–2011)

Valabik was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the first round, 10th overall, at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft held in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Thrashers, however, sent Valabik back to his junior team, the Kitchener Rangers, for the 2004–05 and the 2005–06 seasons. On March 30, 2006, Valabik signed an entry level contract with Atlanta.

The Thrashers assigned Valabik to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the 2006–07 season. He played in his first career AHL game on October 7, 2006, also registering his first point, an assist, in a 5–0 win over the Peoria Rivermen. In his next game, on October 13, Valabik scored his first career AHL goal against Karl Goehring of the Milwaukee Admirals in a 7–5 victory. He finished the season playing in 50 games with Chicago, scoring two goals and nine points, helping the Wolves clinch a playoff spot. In the post-season, Valabik had an assist in eight games, as the Wolves lost to the Iowa Stars in the West Division finals.

Valabik began the 2007–08 season with the Wolves, where in 58 games, he had a goal and eight points. On March 17, 2008, the Thrashers called Valabik up to Atlanta, and two days later, on March 19, Valabik appeared in his first career NHL game, going pointless in a 5–3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He finished the 2007–08 season with Atlanta, recording zero points in seven games. He was then sent back to the Wolves for their Calder Cup playoff run. On April 26, 2008, Valabik scored his first career AHL playoff goal against Pekka Rinne of the Milwaukee Admirals in a 3–0 victory. Overall, Valabik appeared in 24 playoff games with Chicago, scoring three goals and four points, as the Wolves ultimately won the Calder Cup.

Valabik started the 2008–09 season with the Wolves, and in 11 games, he scored a goal and three points. In November, however, the Thrashers called Valabik up for the remainder of the season. He earned his first career NHL point on December 10, 2008, an assist in a 3–2 loss to the New York Rangers. He finished the season playing in 50 games with Atlanta, recording five assists and 132 penalty minutes.

Valabik began the 2009–10 with the Wolves. He suffered an ankle injury in a practice before the season, however, and missed the first six weeks of the season. Valabik returned to the lineup on November 20, 2009, and would play in six games with Chicago, earning no points, before being called up to Atlanta again. With the Thrashers, he appeared in 23 games, earning two assists. His 2009–10 season, however, ended in early February, as Valabik torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

On October 15, 2010, the Thrashers placed Valabik on waivers, which he cleared, allowing him to be sent back to the Wolves. In 49 games with Chicago, he had nine assists. On February 18, 2011, the Thrashers traded Valabik and forward Rich Peverley to the Boston Bruins for forward Blake Wheeler and defenceman Mark Stuart.

Boston Bruins (2010–2011)

Valabik finished the 2010–11 season with the Boston Bruins' AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. In 10 games with Providence, he had two assists. After the season, Valabik became an unrestricted free agent.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2011–2012)

On July 3, 2011, Valabik signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He suffered a knee injury at a Penguins practice on October 3, however, and on November 2, the Penguins placed Valabik on waivers. He cleared waivers and was assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Penguins' AHL affiliate. He would only play in three games for the club in the 2011–12 season, earning no points. After the season, Valabik once again became a free agent.

HC Kometa Brno (2012–2013)

Valabik signed with HC Kometa Brno of the Czech Extraliga on August 14, 2012. In 29 games, he had a goal and three points. Valabik then asked for his release in early January.

Portland Pirates (2012–2013)

Valabik signed with the Portland Pirates of the AHL on January 11, 2013, where in 24 games, he had two goals and six points, helping the team reach the playoffs. He appeared in one playoff game, being held off the scoresheet, while earning 17 penalty minutes, as the Pirates lost to the Syracuse Crunch in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals.

Awards and achievements