The #61 has been a rarely worn jersey in the history of the Toronto Marlies.

Even the most passionate and ardent fans of Toronto’s affiliate would struggle to name the first two players to don that number.

Shaun Landolt and Mac Faulkner played a combined seven games in the first two seasons of Toronto’s existence.

The #61 would lay dormant until assigned to Rinat Valiev in 2015.

The defenseman spent his formative years with the AK Bars Kazan youth team before playing in the USHL and then moving to Canada in 2013.

In the WHL with Kootenay Ice, Valiev recorded 28 points (5G, 23) in 55 games and a further nine points (1G, 8A) in thirteen playoff outings.

After a successful 2013-14 rookie season, the defenseman was selected 68th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Russian native would make his professional debut late in the 2014-15 campaign after finishing his second year in the WHL.

His first professional season was a success.

Twenty-three points (4G, 19A) in sixty AHL games and was part of the Marlies team that made it to the Conference Finals.

The 2015-16 campaign also saw Valiev make his NHL debut.

The defenseman made ten appearances in March as the Maple Leafs gave opportunities to the talented prospects plying their trade with the Marlies.

His sophomore season didn’t live up to expectations.

He played fewer games, recorded a lesser PPG average, spent no time in the NHL and was left behind in the pecking order of a congested defence core that featured Travis Dermott and Justin Holl.

It was no surprise when Valiev was traded in the February of the following season.

He was dealt along with Kerby Rychel to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Tomas Plekanec, Kyle Baun and a second-round pick.

Valiev wasn’t afraid of playing a physical game despite his calm and nonchalant appearance at times. He would drop the gloves on four occasions whilst in Toronto.

The left-handed shot wasn’t known for his scoring antics but was capable on occasion.

Valiev signed a deal with the Montreal organisation in May of 2018 but traded to Calgary in early October.

The blueliner would spend two years with Calgary but fail to feature in a single NHL game.

Valiev suited up in 106 games for the Stockton Heat before sitting out the ‘pandemic season’ of 2020-21.

The Russian native opted to head home and signed with AK Bars Kazan for 2021-22.

After playing predominantly in the VHL, Valiev was traded to Dinamo Minsk in exchange for the rights to Julius Honka.

Now 27 years of age, Rinat Valiev is currently a free agent at the time of writing.

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