During Valabik’s first year with the Rangers he raised the eyebrows of a few scouts and in addition also quickly garnered some attention from some of the OHL’s most prominent heavyweights.  Despite that he spent the previous season in a league where fighting is banned, Valabik tried his hand at the craft very quickly with the Rangers.  During his rookie season he took on the likes of Brandon Prust, Daniel Bois and Ryan Bowness.

One on one he is seldomly beaten, unlike some of the OHL’s bigger defenders of the past Valabik is not impeded by lead feet.  He doesn’t move with extreme grace, but does use his reach to play the puck when in a pinch.

Going into his sophomore season the Rangers are hoping that Valabik with raise his offensive efforts.  He did score 3 goals during his rookie campaign, 2 of which came on the man advantage.  His point shot is similar to slingshot, with some accuracy, unfortunately he doesn’t have the quick release of an Andre Benoit or Matt Lashoff.  During the CHL top prospects game, he was lucky enough to score a goal after a defender deflected a puck into his own net.

In the upcoming 2004 NHL entry draft Valabik is expected to go in the first round which would give the Rangers’ first round selections in three consecutive drafts.  Valabik has to concern himself with staying in position, he can often coast away from his assignment in the defensive zone.  A stop at an NHL training camp would be a fantastic learning experience for Boris en route to his second season in the OHL.