Tomek Valtonen


Tomasz Valtonen is a Polish-born Finnish former professional ice hockey forward. He is currently the head coach for the Ravensburg Towerstars of the German DEL2 and the Poland men's national ice hockey team. Valtonen was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings as their second-round draft pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Valtonen was born in Piotrków Trybunalski to a Polish mother and a Finnish father. The family moved to Finland when Tomek was young, and he grew up in Kitee.
He started his pro career in Ilves in 1997 and played his next season with the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL, and returned to the SM-liiga in 1999 and represented Jokerit until 2007, when he signed a two-year contract with Södertälje SK. Valtonen returned to SM-liiga and Jokerit for season 2008-2009.
He has won the SM-liiga championship, three silver medals, and the under-20s World Championship.

Coaching career