Admirals bring back Valentini

Norfolk, Va.  —  The Norfolk Admirals, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes and American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves, announced that forward Ryan Valentini has signed a contract with the club for the 2022-23 season.

The 24-year-old Mississauga, Ontario native returns to Norfolk after putting together one of the more notable finishes to the season for the Admirals. Valentini started his 2021-22 campaign with the Rapid City Rush, where he posted 23 points in 21 games.  

On February 16, the Rush traded Valentini to the Indy Fuel where he played in five games and posted two points (1g-1a).

On March 10, the Admirals acquired Valentini at the trade deadline. He finished the year with 18 points (12g-6a) in 19 games.

Valentini spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League before turning pro in 2020-21. He posted 78 points in 130 games with the London Knights and Sudbury Wolves. In 2019-20, he suited up for the University of Guelph in USports and was named to the Second All-Star Team while also capturing a league championship. In his first season as a pro, Valentini played for Sterzing/Vipiteno in Italy.