Valeri Klimov (ice hockey)

Valeri Klimov is the product of the HC Spartak Moscow hockey system. The young defenseman spent several seasons with the club and was also on several occasions a member of Russia's U18 and U20 national teams. The New Jersey Devils selected him late in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft with the 282nd overall pick, making him the last Russian selected that year. Since being drafted, Klimov has made his Super League debut with HC Spartak during the 2005-06 season. But when the club disintegrated during the summer of 2006, the young defenseman signed a tryout contract with HC Khimik, and spent the 2006-07 season in that club's system.