Devils Sign D Vitaly Vishnevski
Print |
| Vishnevski followed the career of former Devil defenseman Slava Fetisov while growing up. |
newjerseydevils.com - The Devils have signed free agent defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski, Devils' CEO/President/GM Lou Lamoriello announced Tuesday.
Vishnevski, 27, recorded three goals and 10 assists in 67 games split between Nashville and Atlanta last season. He finished the 2006-07 campaign with the Predators after being acquired in a February deal that sent forward Eric Belanger to the Thrashers.
"Vitaly Vishnevski is a defenseman who brings a physical presence to our hockey team," said Lamoriello. "He has both size and experience, and we feel he can play our type of hockey."
Drafted fifth overall by Anaheim in the 1998 Entry Draft, the 6-2, 215-lb. rearguard spent the first six seasons of his seven-year NHL career with the Ducks. The Ukrainian native appeared in all 16 games of Anaheim's run to the Western Conference final in 2006, and played in 21 games of the Ducks' trip to the Stanley Cup final in 2003.
Vishnevski has recorded 14 goals and 47 assists for 61 points in 483 career NHL games, and has represented Russia seven times in international competition, including the 2006 Olympics and the 2004 World Cup.
