Tony DeAngelo, unable to secure an NHL contract for this season, has signed a one-year deal to play for St. Petersburg in the KHL. The former New York Rangers defenseman, now 28, appeared in 31 games for the Carolina Hurricanes last season, contributing 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in a limited role for a team that finished just behind the Rangers in the Metropolitan Division standings.
When Brett Pesce was injured early in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Tony DeAngelo stepped into a regular role on the Hurricanes’ blue line. He played in nine postseason games, averaging over 19 minutes of ice time per game, and contributed two assists. DeAngelo played all six games in the second-round series against the Rangers, recording an assist in Carolina’s Game 2 overtime loss in New York and another in their home win in Game 4.
SKA St. Petersburg has signed defenseman Tony DeAngelo to a one-year contract, as announced by the KHL on September 23, 2024. Despite the Carolina Hurricanes losing both Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei in free agency, they opted not to re-sign DeAngelo this offseason. DeAngelo will reunite with former Hurricanes teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov in St. Petersburg. This marks DeAngelo’s first season playing outside of North America since turning pro in the 2015-16 season.
Tony DeAngelo expressed his enthusiasm about joining SKA St. Petersburg, stating, “Last year, I played with ‘Kuzy,’ so there are a couple of guys here I know, which makes it a little easier.” He also shared his anticipation of exploring the city and its rich history, adding, “I’ve heard a lot about the history and all that comes with the city, so I’m looking forward to getting around and seeing it. … Excited to be here.” His positive attitude was echoed in his final statement, “I’m excited to be here,” as shared by the KHL’s official account.
Tony DeAngelo had highs and lows during Rangers tenure
While many players his age capitalized on the NHL free-agent market this summer, Tony DeAngelo found himself without a contract. Despite being a skilled puck mover with 210 points (48 goals, 162 assists) in 371 NHL games, his reputation has been marred by a history of controversial comments and actions dating back to his junior hockey days.
DeAngelo’s time with the New York Rangers was turbulent. He was acquired from the Arizona Coyotes before the 2017 NHL Draft in a trade involving Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta. By the 2018-19 season, DeAngelo had established himself as a top-four defenseman, and in 2019-20, he had a career-best season, posting 15 goals and 53 points in 68 games. However, things unraveled the following season.
The turning point came on January 30, 2021, during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, when DeAngelo and goalie Alexandar Georgiev had a miscommunication in overtime that led to a game-winning goal by Sidney Crosby. A confrontation between DeAngelo and Georgiev followed in the locker room, escalating into a physical altercation.
However, the incident with Georgiev was just one part of a larger issue. DeAngelo had already faced backlash for controversial tweets during the 2020 U.S. presidential election that offended fans and season ticket holders. Additionally, then-Rangers coach David Quinn had benched DeAngelo early in the season for attitude problems, with the Georgiev incident ultimately leading to his dismissal from the team.
Reflecting on the situation in a recent podcast, DeAngelo said, “It was one of those situations where if I had done the right thing from the start, none of it would’ve happened. But it did.” He expressed regret over how the situation spiraled out of control and how it wasn’t addressed sooner.
After playing only six games during the 2020-21 season, DeAngelo’s contract was bought out by the Rangers. He bounced back in the 2021-22 season with the Carolina Hurricanes, recording 51 points (10 goals, 41 assists) in 64 games. He then played for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2022-23 before returning to Carolina in a reduced role last season.
Now, DeAngelo is starting a new chapter in Russia with SKA St. Petersburg, potentially for an extended stay or as a stepping stone for a return to the NHL.
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