Tony DeAngelo didn’t secure a contract to stay in the NHL this season, so the former New York Rangers defenseman signed a one-year deal to play for St. Petersburg in the KHL.
Last season, the 28-year-old appeared in 31 games for the Carolina Hurricanes, registering 11 points (three goals, eight assists) while playing a limited role for a team that finished just behind the Rangers for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
When Brett Pesce was injured early in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, DeAngelo stepped into a regular role on Carolina’s blue line, playing nine postseason games and averaging over 19 minutes of ice time per game, contributing two assists.
DeAngelo played all six games in the second-round series against the Rangers, recording an assist in Carolina’s Game 2 overtime loss in New York and another in the Game 4 home win.
Despite his contributions, the Hurricanes chose not to re-sign DeAngelo this offseason, even with the departures of both Pesce and Brady Skjei in free agency.
DeAngelo will reunite with former Hurricanes teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov in St. Petersburg. This marks his first season playing outside North America since turning pro in 2015-16.
“I played with ‘Kuzy’ last year, so knowing a few guys here makes it easier,” DeAngelo said. “I’ve heard a lot about the city’s history, so I’m looking forward to exploring it. … Excited to be here.”
