Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Boris Valábik (Atlanta Thrashers)

Although we've previously written posts based on recommendations from HftL readers, this post is the first from an "official suggestion" (THANKS, Sunshine36616!) -- the first of MANY, we're hoping!!!

And I've seriously acquired a new appreciation for the Atlanta Thrashers thanks to this one!! ; )

HOCKEY FACTOR

Valábik began his career in the junior league of his home country, Slovakia (which has had NUMEROUS names: Extraliga / Slovak Extraliga / West Extraliga / Boss Extraliga / ST Extraliga / T-Com Extraliga / Slovnaft Extraliga), playing for HK Ardo Nitra in the 2002-2003 season.  That first year created his foundation for being the type of player he continues to be today since, as a defenseman, he was about as productive as he was aggressive with 14 points (2 G, 12 A) and 145 penalty minutes* in 46 GAMES!!

*[penalty minutes appear to be Valábik's "strong point" as a player and is a common thread among each of his seasons regardless of the league / team --- although I honestly considered putting this bit of info in the "hotness factor" of the post instead of here since it's an extremely sexy quality and not necessarily the best one to have as a player!!]

He moved on from the Slovakia junior league after that year in the junior league to play for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL for three seasons (2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06) earning a total of 725 penalty minutes* throughout those three years.  In his rookie season, he ranked second in the OHL, led league rookies and topped league's defensemen with a career-best 278 penalty minutes* as well as finished third among the team's defensemen and eighth among OHL rookie defensemen in scoring, named to both the OHL First All-Rookie Team and CHL All-Rookie Team as well as played in the CHL Top Prospects Game!

Aside from collecting penalty minutes during his time in the OHL, he was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1st round (10th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft eventually playing for their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for two seasons as well helping them to win the Calder Cup (2007-2008) before making his NHL debut for the Thrashers in 2007-2008.  The season of his debut, Boris played a total of seven games, but collected a total of 42 penalty minutes* without scoring any points. He went back and forth between the AHL / NHL teams for two seasons prior to earning a permanent spot with Atlanta this past 2009-2010 season, but missed 16 consecutive games at the beginning of the season due to an ankle injury.

He's also represented Slovakia on a number of occasions winning the silver medal in the 2003 World Junior U18 Championships.  Other appearances include 2004 World Junior U18 Championships, 2005 and 2006 World Junior Championships and 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.

HOTNESS FACTOR

There's TONS of hotness exuding from Boris (just LOOK at this 6'7, 245 pound hockey hunk!  Kena ... please pick yourself up off the floor!!  And here we thought Chara was the only gargantuan male there is in the NHL!); HOWEVER, I have to admit I came up a little short when it came to the personal side of this hottie ...

With being as aggressive as he is (and seeing how he earns so many penalty minutes), you just know that some of it develops into full-on scraps and makes him a fighter (and it does - with at least one fight in every season he has played since his OHL days back in 2003-2004 which is also the year he's had the most fights with a total of 18!)!!

Valábik admired Peter Bondra and Chris Pronger growing up as a young player in Slovakia who started playing at the age of 6.

He's multi-lingual and fluent in English, Slovakian, and German (that's quite an attractive trait right there!)!!  Although you may have a hard time hearing which language he is speaking since I've read he's soft-spoken (um, even more attractive ... a soft-spoken aggressor ... interesting!)!!

According to his WIKI page, Valábik chose to wear the number five this past season (2009-2010) because the Roman numeral for five is "V" which is the first letter of his last name and not because, as many believe, he graduated high school in 2005 (although note that this little bit of information is not cited).