Valerian Returns to Dawgs from ECHL
Published on February 10, 2026 under SPHL (SPHL)
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs News Release
ROANOKE, VA. - The Rail Yard Dawgs announced on Tuesday that defenseman/alternate captain C.J. Valerian has returned from his call-up with the ECHL's Tahoe Knight Monsters..
Valerian is in his fifth season in the Star City, ranking fifth among defensemen and 12th among all players on the all-time games played list for the franchise with 125 appearances for the Dawgs. This season, the 30-year-old defenseman recorded two goals, seven assists, 42 penalty minutes, and a plus-five rating in 21 appearances for Roanoke before he was called up by the Knight Monsters on December 18. In 13 games for Tahoe, the six-foot-two blue-liner notched two assists, 15 penalty minutes, and a plus-four rating. Since joining the Dawgs out of New England College (NCAA-DIII) in February 2022, the Gates Mills, Ohio native has tallied 15 goals, 34 assists, and 194 penalty minutes. Valerian's career plus/minus rating of plus-47 ranks atop the franchise's all-time leaderboard. In 25 career postseason games for the Dawgs, Valerian has one goal, six assists, and a plus-six rating to go along with his 2023 President's Cup championship ring. Valerian also made 20 appearances last season in the ECHL with Bloomington and Reading.
The Rail Yard Dawgs will host the Fayetteville Marksmen on Friday, February 13, at 7:05 P.M. EST at Berglund Center. Season ticket packages and group tickets are on sale by contacting the Rail Yard Dawgs' front office. Single game tickets for the season are on sale now online and at Berglund Center box office.
SPHL Stories from February 10, 2026
- Jack Bostedt Returns from ECHL - Connor Mcananama Placed on 14-Day IR - Peoria Rivermen
- Thunderbolts Host Havoc this Friday for Jurassic Night - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Valerian Returns to Dawgs from ECHL - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- Mayhem Claim Brandon Reller - Macon Mayhem
- Huntsville's Austin Alger Named Warrior Hockey SPHL Player of the Week - SPHL
- Pensacola Ice Flyers 2026-27 Season Tickets on Sale Now - Pensacola Ice Flyers
- SPHL Announces New Playoff Format - Peoria Rivermen
- SPHL Announces Expanded 3-5-5 Format for President's Cup Playoffs - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
- SPHL Announces Expanded President's Cup Format - SPHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Stories
- Valerian Returns to Dawgs from ECHL
- SPHL Announces Expanded 3-5-5 Format for President's Cup Playoffs
- Dawgs Place Kirkby on Team Suspension, Returning to FPHL
- Dawgs Acquire Paul from Quad City in Exchange for Bourgeois
- Dawgs Snakebitten in Late 2-1 Loss to Peoria
