The September transfer of former player of a number of NHL teams Tony DeAngelo to SKA became one of the most high-profile transfers of this season in Russian hockey. There were high hopes for the American defender, relying on his class and experience.

But the cooperation of the St. Petersburg club with Tony ended quite quickly. And it seems that this is where everything was heading.

For family reasons

The official reason for the termination of the contract was family circumstances, due to which the American hockey player could no longer remain in Russia. The player reported this personally.

— Due to family circumstances, I am forced to leave SKA and return to North America. This decision was not easy for me. It’s a shame to leave such a city and such a team – people in St. Petersburg really love hockey, value every player, and do everything for the club to achieve good results.

I would like to thank all the fans for their support and for the always full stands. You gave me some of the best emotions from home matches that I have experienced in my career. I will always remember this experience with warmth and hope that our paths will cross again in the future. Thanks for everything! – De Angelo told Match TV.

The army club thanked the player for his time with the team and wished him good luck in his future career.

De Angelo’s statement became a real information bomb, so fans and journalists began to link the player’s departure with his possible conflict with the coaching staff. But SKA head coach Roman Rotenberg said on social networks that the parties maintained good relations.

Tony DeAngelo and Roman Rotenberg / Photo: © Social networks of Roman Rotenberg

— Tony DeAngelo helped us a lot during this part of the championship, he spent most of the regular season with us. This is a high-class professional – he came to Russia and SKA with great interest and an open heart, and demonstrated his level from the first matches. We met the player halfway because we understand that family is the most important thing.

I would like to sincerely thank Tony for working together; it was a useful and interesting experience for everyone. Now there is no need for speculation – we are parting as friends, and I am sure that Tony himself will also speak exceptionally kind words about the time spent in St. Petersburg,” Rotenberg wrote in his Telegram channel.

However, those who actively followed DeAngelo this season have accumulated complaints about his play. Moreover, even SKA itself was not always happy with the performances of the eminent hockey player.

Was discord inevitable?

In Russia, DeAngelo showed good statistics: in 34 matches he scored 32 points. He was the team’s most productive defenseman, putting up numbers on par with the best forwards. Why then is the American so mercilessly criticized by fans and experts?

The fact is that Tony was so strong in attack, but just as weak in defense. Largely because of his play, SKA is now one of the most conceding teams in the league. As many as 130 pucks flew into her goal. Only teams outside the playoff zone have more.

In addition to a huge number of purely game mistakes, the American was remembered for his extremely unrestrained behavior. This distinguished him even overseas. Even Rotenberg criticized the hockey player for frequent and overly emotional altercations with the judges.

Tony also couldn’t boast of good discipline: he was first among defenders and third on the team in penalty time. Obviously, this style of play was hardly beneficial for the St. Petersburg team, who occupy seventh place in the Western Conference.

Tony DeAngelo / Photo: © HC SKA

A typical moment was the recent match with Dynamo Moscow, when De Angelo, who failed in two periods, watched the rest of the match in the locker room. SKA had never punished an American so severely, but the team’s result was then set higher and they did not stand on ceremony with the star. The St. Petersburg team lost that match offensively – 4:5. The last time the defender appeared in a SKA uniform was in the game against Lokomotiv, spending 26 minutes on the ice and not registering anything. The army team then lost in overtime – 3:4.

And suddenly DeAngelo leaves SKA, although most of the time the club treated him as warmly as possible, openly forgiving him for many mistakes. Whatever the reason for the American’s return home, it seems that the separation will benefit both parties.