Ryan Whitney drops 2-word response to his still-standing 9-year KHL record from HC Sochi playing days

By R. Nikhil Parshy

Modified Dec 19, 2024 17:40 GMT

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Ryan Whitney mostly features on the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast alongside co-host Paul Bissonnette, but in his heyday as an NHL player, he was a decent defenseman. He flexed an outstanding statistic from the sole season he played in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.

Whitney played for nine seasons in the NHL. He spent his early years with the Pittsburgh Penguins before getting traded to the Anaheim Ducks. He went back and forth between the Ducks and Edmonton Oilers before a short run with the Florida Panthers. In 481 games, he recorded 259 points.

After failing to sign a contract with an NHL team in 2014, he took his talents to Russia. A post on X showcased Whitney's stat line from a game in 2015 when he suited up for HC Sochi. On Feb. 6, 2015, Whitney recorded a plus-minus rating of +7 against Sibir. He retweeted it on Wednesday with a two-word reaction joking about being a "defensive stalwart."

A plus-minus rating is a statistic that measures a player's impact in a game. A player receives +1 if they are on the ice when their team scores a goal on a five-on-five play or when they are shorthanded. Subsequently, they receive a -1 if they concede a goal similarly. Even though it is a popular statistic, some consider it overrated as it does not showcase the true effect of a player in a game.

Ryan Whitney batting for Team Russia's inclusion in international events

Having spent some time in Russia as a player, Ryan Whitney recognizes the talent in the hockey community there and probably has a soft spot for it. When Team Russia was not included in the upcoming Four Nations Face-Off, where Sweden, Denmark, Canada and the USA will compete, Whitney was not happy about it.

On the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast on Friday, Whitney discussed with Bissonnette the need to allow Russian teams in international competitions, including the Olympics and events like the Four Nations Face-Off.

"I will say once again, they better be in the Olympics next year, or even if the U.S. wins, I don't really think it's legit," Whitney said. "Russia needs to be part of the Olympics next year. Let's look at this possible roster."

Russian athletes and teams are banned from several international competitions because of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The IOC has banned the Russian Olympic Committee and the IIHF has yet to decide on its participation in the next Winter Olympics with a neutral banner.