Brian Rafalski
Encyclopedia
Brian Christopher Rafalski (born September 28, 1973) is a retired American
professional ice hockey
defenseman who played 15 professional ice hockey seasons for five teams: 11 in the National Hockey League
for two teams (New Jersey Devils
and Detroit Red Wings
), three in SM-liiga
for two teams (Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho
and Helsingin IFK
) prior to entering the NHL, and one in Elitserien
for Brynäs IF
. After struggling to enter the NHL, spending four seasons in European leagues, Rafalski won the Stanley Cup
three times, playing in five Stanley Cup finals in his NHL career (2000
, 2001
, 2003
, 2008
, 2009
.) Rafalski also played for the United States men's ice hockey team in three Olympic ice hockey tournaments (2002, 2006, and 2010).
and was a proficient player, scoring 45 points in 43 games in his senior year. He won several awards that season; he was named to the WCHA
First All-Star
Team, the NCAA West All-Star Team, and the WCHA Defenseman of the Year. With no immediate NHL prospects, Rafalski travelled overseas. He spent the 1995-1996 season with Brynäs IF
of the Swedish elite league
. After scoring only 9 points in 22 games in Sweden
, he then moved to Finland
. He played a season for HPK
of the SM-liiga
, and scored 35 points. He travelled to HIFK
in 1997, where he spent two successful years. In his final year in Finland, he scored 19 goals and 53 points in 53 games, and won the Kultainen kypärä
, which is the SM-liiga trophy for best player as voted by his fellow players. Notably, he also became the first non-Finnish player to win the award.
Rafalski was named by the Sporting News in 1999 as the best hockey player in the world not playing in the NHL. On May 7, 1999, Rafalski was signed by the New Jersey Devils
as a free agent. He was 26 years of age at the start of the 1999–2000 NHL season, much older than most rookies, but with four seasons in strong European leagues already under his belt.
As soon as he arrived in New Jersey, Rafalski was teamed with Devils captain Scott Stevens
. The two would remain together for five years, until Stevens' retirement in 2004. He finished the season with 32 points. He led all rookie defensemen in plus-minus with a +21 rating, second among Devils defensemen and tied for first for all rookies. Rafalski helped the Devils win the Stanley Cup that year. Along with Calder Trophy winning teammate Scott Gomez
, he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team
.
Rafalski improved his production in his sophomore season, as he scored 52 points. His 18 points during the playoffs set a team record for defensemen, although the Devils lost to the Colorado Avalanche
in the Stanley Cup Finals.
In the 2001–02 NHL season, Rafalski continued his scoring ways with 47 points. He was selected to participate in the NHL All-Star Game, but was forced to sit out due to injury. The next season, he once again led all Devils defensemen in scoring with 40 points. He was a vital part of a Devils defense that helped the team win the Stanley Cup again with a seven-game win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in June 2003.
On July 1, 2007, the Detroit Red Wings
signed Rafalski to a $30 million, five-year contract. Rafalski had grown up in nearby Dearborn
and had been a Red Wings fan for most of his life. He has been teamed with another legendary defenseman, Nicklas Lidstrom
.
Rafalski set a career high in goals (11) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues on March 5, 2008. He would go on to score 13 goals for the season, amassing that amount in 73 games. On June 4, 2008, Rafalski helped lead the Wings to the Stanley Cup, the third in his career. He helped out the cause by scoring the first Red Wings' goal on the powerplay in the first period to help them defeat the Penguins 3-2 in game 6.
On January 1, 2009, Rafalski scored the game winning goal for the Red Wings in the 2009 Winter Classic, the first NHL game played outdoors in Red Wings history. The Red Wings defeated the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 6-4.
On May 5, 2009, Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock
announced Rafalski would miss Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. It was the first time Rafalski missed the first three games of a series. Rafalski finished the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs
with three goals and nine assists as the Red Wings came within a game of repeating as Stanley Cup champions.
On May 25, 2011, Rafalski announced his retirement from the NHL, walking away from the final year of his contract, citing knee and back injuries. Because Rafalski retired on an under-35 contract without being bought out, the move removed his cap hit for the season.
, winning a silver medal as the US lost to Canada
in the finals.
He has continued to represent America in international play, playing in both the 2004 World Cup of Hockey
and the 2006 Winter Olympics
.
Rafalski played in the 2010 Winter Olympics while filling in as the United States' alternate captain. He scored two goals and assisted on another in the USA's 5-3 win over Canada in group-stage play, which ensured the United States would win their group and earn a bye to the quarterfinals. He finished third in the tournament in scoring (first among defencemen) with four goals and four assists. He was named as the best defenceman of the tournament as well as being named to the tournament all-star team.
Rafalski is from Dearborn, MI. He has a degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison in Economics. On a similar note, Rafalski has said during an interview that he is a political buff and frequently listens to Glenn Beck
and other talk show hosts, with notable stances taken on issues such as taxation.
"This was probably the most challenging season of my career, both physically, mentally and spiritually, but it was also the most rewarding and most blessed," Rafalski said. "The decision was made between myself and my wife approximately two months ago. We went through a long process of weighing different factors in our lives. At the end of the day it came down to priorities, with the top three priorities being serving God, serving my family and serving others." (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2011-05-25-brian-rafalski-retires_N.htm)
"This was probably the most challenging season of my career, both physically, mentally and spiritually, but it was also the most rewarding and most blessed," Rafalski said. "The decision was made between myself and my wife approximately two months ago. We went through a long process of weighing different factors in our lives. At the end of the day it came down to priorities, with the top three priorities being serving God, serving my family and serving others." (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2011-05-25-brian-rafalski-retires_N.htm)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenseman who played 15 professional ice hockey seasons for five teams: 11 in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
for two teams (New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
), three in SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
for two teams (Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho
HPK
HPK is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Hämeenlinna, Finland at the Hämeenlinnan jäähalli. HPK was established in 1929. The full name of the club is HPK-Edustusjääkiekko Ry and the team is sometimes promoted as the "Hockey Playing Knights", with the logo representing a knight...
and Helsingin IFK
HIFK (ice hockey)
HIFK is an ice hockey team based in Helsinki, Finland. The team plays at Helsinki Ice Hall. It was founded in 1897...
) prior to entering the NHL, and one in Elitserien
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
for Brynäs IF
Brynäs IF
Brynäs IF is a professional Swedish ice hockey team from Gävle. The club plays in the highest Swedish league , and has done so since 1960.-History:...
. After struggling to enter the NHL, spending four seasons in European leagues, Rafalski won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
three times, playing in five Stanley Cup finals in his NHL career (2000
2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2000 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, and concluded in June. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions ...
, 2001
2001 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , were played from April until June. The Colorado Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils to win its second Stanley Cup....
, 2003
2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, the National Hockey League championship, began on April 9, 2003, following the 2002–03 regular season. The playoffs concluded on June 9, 2003, with the New Jersey Devils defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games.The sixteen qualifying teams played...
, 2008
2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions...
, 2009
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
.) Rafalski also played for the United States men's ice hockey team in three Olympic ice hockey tournaments (2002, 2006, and 2010).
High School
Rafalski played for the Madison Capitals of the USHL and scored 23 points with 12 goals and 11 assistsCollege and European play
Rafalski played for four years at the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
and was a proficient player, scoring 45 points in 43 games in his senior year. He won several awards that season; he was named to the WCHA
Western Collegiate Hockey Association
The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference....
First All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
Team, the NCAA West All-Star Team, and the WCHA Defenseman of the Year. With no immediate NHL prospects, Rafalski travelled overseas. He spent the 1995-1996 season with Brynäs IF
Brynäs IF
Brynäs IF is a professional Swedish ice hockey team from Gävle. The club plays in the highest Swedish league , and has done so since 1960.-History:...
of the Swedish elite league
Elitserien
Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden...
. After scoring only 9 points in 22 games in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, he then moved to Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. He played a season for HPK
HPK
HPK is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Hämeenlinna, Finland at the Hämeenlinnan jäähalli. HPK was established in 1929. The full name of the club is HPK-Edustusjääkiekko Ry and the team is sometimes promoted as the "Hockey Playing Knights", with the logo representing a knight...
of the SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
, and scored 35 points. He travelled to HIFK
HIFK (ice hockey)
HIFK is an ice hockey team based in Helsinki, Finland. The team plays at Helsinki Ice Hall. It was founded in 1897...
in 1997, where he spent two successful years. In his final year in Finland, he scored 19 goals and 53 points in 53 games, and won the Kultainen kypärä
Kultainen kypärä
Kultainen kypärä is an ice hockey award given to the best player in the Finnish SM-liiga. It is the most appreciated of the awards, as it is voted for by the players. It has been awarded since 1987....
, which is the SM-liiga trophy for best player as voted by his fellow players. Notably, he also became the first non-Finnish player to win the award.
NHL career
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
as a free agent. He was 26 years of age at the start of the 1999–2000 NHL season, much older than most rookies, but with four seasons in strong European leagues already under his belt.
As soon as he arrived in New Jersey, Rafalski was teamed with Devils captain Scott Stevens
Scott Stevens
Ronald Scott Stevens is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman. Stevens played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, and the New Jersey Devils...
. The two would remain together for five years, until Stevens' retirement in 2004. He finished the season with 32 points. He led all rookie defensemen in plus-minus with a +21 rating, second among Devils defensemen and tied for first for all rookies. Rafalski helped the Devils win the Stanley Cup that year. Along with Calder Trophy winning teammate Scott Gomez
Scott Gomez
Scott Carlos Gomez is an American ice hockey center of both Mexican and Colombian descent, currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team
NHL All-Rookie Team
The NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
.
Rafalski improved his production in his sophomore season, as he scored 52 points. His 18 points during the playoffs set a team record for defensemen, although the Devils lost to the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
in the Stanley Cup Finals.
On July 1, 2007, the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
signed Rafalski to a $30 million, five-year contract. Rafalski had grown up in nearby Dearborn
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
and had been a Red Wings fan for most of his life. He has been teamed with another legendary defenseman, Nicklas Lidstrom
Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain...
.
Rafalski set a career high in goals (11) after scoring against the St. Louis Blues on March 5, 2008. He would go on to score 13 goals for the season, amassing that amount in 73 games. On June 4, 2008, Rafalski helped lead the Wings to the Stanley Cup, the third in his career. He helped out the cause by scoring the first Red Wings' goal on the powerplay in the first period to help them defeat the Penguins 3-2 in game 6.
On January 1, 2009, Rafalski scored the game winning goal for the Red Wings in the 2009 Winter Classic, the first NHL game played outdoors in Red Wings history. The Red Wings defeated the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 6-4.
On May 5, 2009, Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock
Mike Babcock
Michael "Mike" Babcock, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League and former player. He serves as head coach of the Red Wings. He also served as the head coach of Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver...
announced Rafalski would miss Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. It was the first time Rafalski missed the first three games of a series. Rafalski finished the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
with three goals and nine assists as the Red Wings came within a game of repeating as Stanley Cup champions.
On May 25, 2011, Rafalski announced his retirement from the NHL, walking away from the final year of his contract, citing knee and back injuries. Because Rafalski retired on an under-35 contract without being bought out, the move removed his cap hit for the season.
International career
Rafalski represented Team USA at the 2002 Winter Olympics2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
, winning a silver medal as the US lost to Canada
Canadian national men's hockey team
The Canadian national ice hockey team is the ice hockey team representing Canada. The team is overseen by Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and participates in international competitions. From 1920 until 1963, Canada's international representation was by senior...
in the finals.
He has continued to represent America in international play, playing in both the 2004 World Cup of Hockey
2004 World Cup of Hockey
The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues...
and the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
.
Rafalski played in the 2010 Winter Olympics while filling in as the United States' alternate captain. He scored two goals and assisted on another in the USA's 5-3 win over Canada in group-stage play, which ensured the United States would win their group and earn a bye to the quarterfinals. He finished third in the tournament in scoring (first among defencemen) with four goals and four assists. He was named as the best defenceman of the tournament as well as being named to the tournament all-star team.
Awards and achievements
- 1995 – Western Collegiate Hockey AssociationWestern Collegiate Hockey AssociationThe Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference....
Defenseman of the Year - 1995 – Western Collegiate Hockey Association First All-Star Team
- 1995 – NCAANational Collegiate Athletic AssociationThe National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
West First All-Star Team - 1997 – Pekka Rautakallio trophyPekka Rautakallio trophyThe Pekka Rautakallio trophy is an ice hockey award given by the Finnish SM-liiga to the best defenceman of the season.-Trophy winners:*1977-78: Pekka Rautakallio *1978-79: Pekka Rautakallio *1979-80: Reijo Ruotsalainen...
for best defenseman in the SM-liigaSM-liigaThe SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice... - 1999 – Matti Keinonen trophyMatti Keinonen trophyThe Matti Keinonen trophy is an ice-hockey award given by the Finnish SM-liiga to the "most effective player" of the season .-Trophy winners:...
for best +/- in the SM-liigaSM-liigaThe SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice... - 1999 – Pekka Rautakallio trophyPekka Rautakallio trophyThe Pekka Rautakallio trophy is an ice hockey award given by the Finnish SM-liiga to the best defenceman of the season.-Trophy winners:*1977-78: Pekka Rautakallio *1978-79: Pekka Rautakallio *1979-80: Reijo Ruotsalainen...
for best defenseman in the SM-liigaSM-liigaThe SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice... - 1999 – Kultainen kypäräKultainen kypäräKultainen kypärä is an ice hockey award given to the best player in the Finnish SM-liiga. It is the most appreciated of the awards, as it is voted for by the players. It has been awarded since 1987....
award for best player in the SM-liigaSM-liigaThe SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice... - 1999–2000 – NHL All-Rookie TeamNHL All-Rookie TeamThe NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
- 1999–2000 – NHL Rookie of the Month for February
- 1999–2000 – Won the Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
with the New Jersey Devils - 2002–03 – Won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils
- 2003–04 – Played in NHL All-Star Game (starter for Eastern Conference)
- 2006–07 – Played in the 55th National Hockey League All Star Game
- 2007–082007-08 NHL seasonThe 2007–08 NHL season was the 91st season of operation of the National Hockey League . It began on September 29, 2007, with the regular season ending April 6, 2008...
– Won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings - Best Defenceman of the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament
- All-star selection of the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament
Personal life
Rafalski and his wife Felicity have three sons; Danny, born in June 1997, Evan, born in October 2000, and Matthew, born in June 2004.Rafalski is from Dearborn, MI. He has a degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison in Economics. On a similar note, Rafalski has said during an interview that he is a political buff and frequently listens to Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
and other talk show hosts, with notable stances taken on issues such as taxation.
"This was probably the most challenging season of my career, both physically, mentally and spiritually, but it was also the most rewarding and most blessed," Rafalski said. "The decision was made between myself and my wife approximately two months ago. We went through a long process of weighing different factors in our lives. At the end of the day it came down to priorities, with the top three priorities being serving God, serving my family and serving others." (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2011-05-25-brian-rafalski-retires_N.htm)
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
+/- | PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | ||
| 1990–91 | Madison Capitols | USHL United States Hockey League The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger... |
47 | 12 | 11 | 23 | — | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | University of Wisconsin–Madison University of Wisconsin–Madison The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866... |
WCHA Western Collegiate Hockey Association The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference.... |
34 | 3 | 14 | 17 | — | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | WCHA | 32 | 0 | 13 | 13 | — | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | WCHA | 37 | 6 | 17 | 23 | — | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | WCHA | 43 | 11 | 34 | 45 | — | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Brynäs IF Brynäs IF Brynäs IF is a professional Swedish ice hockey team from Gävle. The club plays in the highest Swedish league , and has done so since 1960.-History:... |
Swe.1 | 18 | 3 | 6 | 9 | — | 12 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | ||
| 1995–96 | Brynäs IF | SEL Elitserien Elitserien, is a professional ice hockey league composed of twelve teams in Sweden... |
22 | 1 | 8 | 9 | — | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | HPK HPK HPK is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Hämeenlinna, Finland at the Hämeenlinnan jäähalli. HPK was established in 1929. The full name of the club is HPK-Edustusjääkiekko Ry and the team is sometimes promoted as the "Hockey Playing Knights", with the logo representing a knight... |
SM-l SM-liiga The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice... |
49 | 11 | 24 | 35 | 24 | 26 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 11 | — | 4 | ||
| 1997–98 | HIFK HIFK (ice hockey) HIFK is an ice hockey team based in Helsinki, Finland. The team plays at Helsinki Ice Hall. It was founded in 1897... |
SM-l | 40 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 0 | 24 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 11 | — | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | HIFK | SM-l | 53 | 19 | 34 | 53 | 38 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 14 | — | 4 | ||
| 1999–00 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
75 | 5 | 27 | 32 | 21 | 28 | 23 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 2000–01 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 78 | 9 | 43 | 52 | 36 | 26 | 25 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 10 | 7 | ||
| 2001–02 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 76 | 7 | 40 | 47 | 15 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | −2 | 4 | ||
| 2002–03 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 79 | 3 | 37 | 40 | 18 | 14 | 23 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 18 | ||
| 2003–04 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 69 | 6 | 30 | 36 | 6 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 | 6 | 43 | 49 | 0 | 36 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 | 8 | 47 | 55 | 4 | 34 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 8 | −1 | 8 | ||
| 2007–08 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL | 73 | 13 | 42 | 55 | 27 | 34 | 22 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 12 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 78 | 10 | 49 | 59 | 17 | 20 | 18 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 78 | 8 | 34 | 42 | 23 | 26 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 63 | 4 | 44 | 48 | 11 | 22 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −1 | 4 | ||
| SM-liiga totals | 142 | 43 | 68 | 111 | — | 68 | 30 | 16 | 20 | 36 | — | 8 | ||||
| NHL totals | 833 | 79 | 436 | 515 | 178 | 282 | 165 | 29 | 71 | 100 | 42 | 66 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Comp | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 1992 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1992 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 16th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held from December 26, 1991 until January 4, 1992. It was held in Füssen and Kaufbeuren, Germany... |
United States | WJC World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world... |
7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1993 1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1993 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 17th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Gävle, Sweden. Canada won the gold medal, its sixth championship, while Sweden won silver, and the combined team of the Czech and Slovak Republics won bronze... |
United States | WJC | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 1995 1995 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 1995 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was played in Stockholm and Gavle Sweden, from April 23rd to May the 7th, 1995. In the tournament finals, Finland won the gold medal by winning over Sweden 4-1 at the Globen arena in Stockholm. The Finnish goals were scored by Timo Jutila and Ville... |
United States | WC | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2002 Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:... |
United States | OG 2002 Winter Olympics The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout... |
6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2004 2004 World Cup of Hockey The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues... |
United States | WCH World Cup of Hockey The World Cup of Hockey is an international ice hockey tournament. Inaugurated in 1996, it is the successor to the previous Canada Cup, which ran from 1976 to 1991... |
4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2006 Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics -Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and... |
United States | OG 2006 Winter Olympics The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter... |
5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | United States | OG 2010 Winter Olympics The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University... |
6 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| Junior int'l totals | 14 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Senior int'l totals | 26 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 12 | ||
"This was probably the most challenging season of my career, both physically, mentally and spiritually, but it was also the most rewarding and most blessed," Rafalski said. "The decision was made between myself and my wife approximately two months ago. We went through a long process of weighing different factors in our lives. At the end of the day it came down to priorities, with the top three priorities being serving God, serving my family and serving others." (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2011-05-25-brian-rafalski-retires_N.htm)