Rinat Valiev is Joining the Marlies

With his WHL season over, it looks like Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rinat Valiev is ready to make the full jump to pro hockey.

Valiev’s Kootenay Ice were eliminated from the WHL playoffs on Monday evening, stretching their series with the Calgary Hitmen to seven games but ultimately failing to make it out of the first round.

Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2014 Entry Draft, Valiev put up solid points for Kootenay in the regular season and playoffs. In 52 games, Valiev scored nine goals and 46 points, and added another three goals and two assists in seven playoff games. Valiev also represented Russia at the World Juniors tournament just a few short months ago, contributing with three assists in seven games, and earning himself a Silver medal.

We ranked Valiev 20th on our Top 20 Leafs Prospects list at the beginning of the year, but he shot up all the way to 10th in our Midterm Rankings.

Here’s the consistently excellent Corey Pronman with mini scouting report: