| Valeri Zelepukin |
| Valeri Zelepukin Left Wing Left-Handed Shot Height: 6' 1", Weight: 200 pounds Born: 9.17.68 Voskresensk, Russia |
| How he arrived: Via Entry Deaft How he left: Traded to the Edmonton Oilers with Bill Guerin for Jason Arnott and Bryan Muir, 1.4.98 |
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| Regular Season Statistics with the Franchise Stats in bold signifies team leader. |
While the Devils have been known more for finding success with undrafted free agents, Zelepukin was an example of the Devils
finding gold with a late round pick.
A solid two-way player that had enough creativity in his game at the same time, Zelepukin had some decent seasons while he
was still in his homeland, but it wasn't until he came to North America that his game saw an improvement. Some had billed him as
the stereotypical Devil. His one-season high in goals in Russia: 18 in 1988. With the Devils: 26 in 1994... plus one that sent game
7 of the Rangers series that year to overtime.
He would sustain an eye injury in 1995 four games in. During a practice, I should add. He would miss the rest of the regular
season, but would return in time for the playoff run.
His game, however, was just not the same since that injury. His biggest standout moment since then was a playoff hat trick in
1997. But that was it.
His stay in Edmonton was short-lived. He would move on to the Flyers and worked on his defensive game. He became a solid
checking line winger for them. He was also counted on in crunch time with 5 game winning goals his first year there, and 3 the
following year.
He finished his NHL career with the Blackhawks. Nothing eventful happened there. He was sent to the Norfolk Admirals of the
AHL for the remaining season and a half of his North American career. Yup, I'm getting at that he retired back in Russia, having
bounced around with a few teams over there until 2006.
finding gold with a late round pick.
A solid two-way player that had enough creativity in his game at the same time, Zelepukin had some decent seasons while he
was still in his homeland, but it wasn't until he came to North America that his game saw an improvement. Some had billed him as
the stereotypical Devil. His one-season high in goals in Russia: 18 in 1988. With the Devils: 26 in 1994... plus one that sent game
7 of the Rangers series that year to overtime.
He would sustain an eye injury in 1995 four games in. During a practice, I should add. He would miss the rest of the regular
season, but would return in time for the playoff run.
His game, however, was just not the same since that injury. His biggest standout moment since then was a playoff hat trick in
1997. But that was it.
His stay in Edmonton was short-lived. He would move on to the Flyers and worked on his defensive game. He became a solid
checking line winger for them. He was also counted on in crunch time with 5 game winning goals his first year there, and 3 the
following year.
He finished his NHL career with the Blackhawks. Nothing eventful happened there. He was sent to the Norfolk Admirals of the
AHL for the remaining season and a half of his North American career. Yup, I'm getting at that he retired back in Russia, having
bounced around with a few teams over there until 2006.
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| Entry Draft: 1990 Eleventh Round Pick (221st overall) by the New Jersey Devils |
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| Playoff Statistics with the Franchise |
