Ekaterina Valieva was claimed by St.Louis, then was traded to Kelowna, in a curious series of events that journalists still try to understand and separate truth from rumours. 

What we know is that at 4 PM, the St.Louis Scarecrows claimed former Russian weightlifting champion Ekaterina Valieva from the waivers. An article published yesterday did not predict St.Louis as a possible destination for the controversial prospect. We also know that a few hours later, Ekaterina Valieva was then traded to Kelowna with a 3rd round pick, for 3rd-year center Rikkert Biemans. Biemans was a key element of the Knight's offence this year, scoring 14 goals and 21 points in 22 games this season in British Columbia.

What happened during those two hours is open to speculation. Scouts did confirm that little was known about the player before she was claimed, but Valieva's agent did provide erroneous information about her profile. A photo of Anna Kournikova was included in the prospect showcase sent to all SMJHL general managers. The 6'4" 222-pound player did address this during a brief interview before the game. "I do that on Tinder and have success. I want to have success in America. St.Louis just wants pretty woman. Hairy woman can be beauty. St.Louis are scarecrows, but they are scared. St.Louis afraid of strong players. I do not recommend St.Louis. Especially for strong hairy women hockey players."

Rumours suggest that relations between the front office of St.Louis and the young Russian are already not cordial. During the first meeting with the leaders of the team, she would have fought with the wife of Dan Baltisberger, in addition to believing that the mascot of the team was a real scarecrow. She also keeped laughing at Wide Peepo Happy 3 Koivu's name, but we do have to admit all reporters covering the Missouri sports scene do the same. St.Louis first cancelled their press conference to introduce Valieva to the media, then rescheduled a new one to announce the trade for Biemans. 

Moscow media Газета стоит всего рубль asserts that after learning she was traded to the Knights, who were visiting St.Louis that night, she was furious. First, she thought that Kelowna was a brand of vodka and that she was traded for three bottles of alcohol. "It happened to me often in my career. I don't like it. Got traded for only a bottle of vodka when I was 13. Everyone knows it is minimum a bottle of vodka in peewee league in Russia. Was sad. Had tears in my mustache.", the Moscow newspaper reported.  "Now I know I play for the great American metropolis of Kelowna. I now can find a rich American husband there and play hockey for our great nation", the article concluded.

After learning that she was in fact playing in British Columbia, she stated that she ignored that the United Kingdom and Columbia were the same country, but was happy to find a new home. "It has everything. Fresh air. Bigger bears to fight with. And a new hockey team to protect. Kelowna is good for me. Not like St.Louis. St.Louis is bad. I hate St.Louis. St.Louis is not scary."

We might never know the whole story behind the Biemans-Valieva trade that happened today, but both teams played twice against each other this week. Kelowna lost the first duel 4-3 in overtime, then later won 4-2. Valieva got no point, managed to play well defensively, and got 7 hits in those 2 games.


WC: 607
Edit: Grammar.

HAHAHAHA good story!

Even if it's not the truth, I kinda prefer your version

  
Anthony Dionne || G || Texas Renegades || Peak TPE : 2055
Name: Anthony Dionne
Catch: Right
Height: 6'4''
Weight: 225 lbs
Number: 39
SMJHL Draft: 36e by St Louis Scarecrows
SHL Draft: 12e by Texas Renegades
------------------------------------------------------------

SMJHL Regular Season:
S65 to S68 | STL | GP : 175 (89-67-14) | 3.21 GAA | 0.885 SV% | SO : 7
SMJHL Playoffs:
S65 to S68 | STL | GP : 56 (32-20-4) | 2.99 GAA | 0.895 SV% | SO : 5

SHL Regular Season:
S66 to S78 | TEX | GP : 534 (285-194-38) | 3.44 GAA | 0.898 SV% | SO : 28 
SHL Playoffs:
S66 to S78 | TEX | GP : 102 (50-41-10) | 3.82 GAA | 0.890 SV% | SO : 5
World Junior Championship Round Robin:
S64 to S68 | TBI-TNA-CAN | GP : 34 (13-17-3) | 3.56 GAA | 0.904 SV% | SO : 0
World Junior Championship Medals Round:
S66 to S68 | CAN | GP : 9 (6-2-1) | 2.27 GAA | 0.923 SV% | SO : 0 

IIHF Round Robin:

S67 to S78 | CAN | GP : 100 (62-31-5) | 2.51 GAA | 0.915 SV% | SO : 8
IIHF Medals Round:
S67 to S78 | CAN | GP : 19 (12-5-2) | 3.18 GAA | 0.891 SV% | SO : 0

Awards:

S66 IIHF | CAN | Silver Medal
S66-67-68 WJC | CAN | Bronze Medal

S69 IIHF | CAN | Top Goalie of the tournament 

S69 IIHF | CAN | Gold Medal (+ record for most goalie wins in the round robin (11))
S75 IIHF | CAN | Silver Medal 
S75 SHL | TEX | Mike Honcho Award 

S76 IIHF | CAN | Gold Medal

S78 SHL | TEX | Mike Honcho Award 

S78 IIHF | CAN | Gold Medal

  

Never trust the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Always trust the Газета стоит всего рубль.