Pavel Valentenko

Pavel Valentenko (Павел Валентенко; born October 20, 1987) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Playing career
Valentenko was drafted in the fifth round, 139th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He moved to North America in 2007 after growing up in the Nizhnekamsk hockey system to play for the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Canadiens' farm team. He was voted best rookie for the Bulldogs in his first season (2007-08) and was part of the group of players Montreal recalled for the 2008 NHL Playoffs in the case of injuries.

On October 30, 2008, it was reported that Valentenko had defected from the Hamilton Bulldogs and signed a three-year contract with Dynamo Moscow. This news came just days after Valentenko was given permission by the Bulldogs to go home to Russia for an indefinite period of time to deal with family issues.

On June 30, 2009, Valentenko was traded along with Christopher Higgins, Doug Janik, and Ryan McDonagh to the New York Rangers for Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt, and Michael Busto.