Brian Rafalski (born September 28, 1973, in
Dearborn, Michigan) is an American professional ice
hockey player who plays defense for the Detroit Red
Wings of the National Hockey League, having been
signed as an unrestricted free agent from the New
Jersey Devils. After enduring a long struggle to
enter the NHL, Rafalski has won 2 Stanley Cups and
become an effective defenceman in the league. He has
played in four Stanley Cup finals. (2000, 2001,
2003, 2008)
Brian 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 he had
played in some of the finest leagues in Europe. He
finished the season with 32 points. He led all
rookie defencemen in plus-minus with a +21 rating,
second among Devils defencemen and tied for first
for all rookies. Rafalski helped the Devils win the
Stanley Cup that year. Along with 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, which led the team.
His 18 points during the playoffs set a team record
for defencemen, although the Devils lost to the
Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Finals.
In the 2001–02 NHL season, Rafalski continued his
scoring ways, notching 47 points. He was selected to
participate in the NHL All-Star Game, but was forced
to sit out due to injury. He did go on to represent
Team USA at the 2002 Winter Olympics, winning a
silver medal as the US lost to Canada in the finals.
The next season, he once again led all Devils
defencemen in scoring with 40 points. He was a vital
part of the Devils defence that helped the team win
its third Stanley Cup in eight seasons, with a
seven-game win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He
has continued to represent America in international
play, playing in both the 2004 World Cup of Hockey
and the 2006 Winter Olympics.
On July 1, 2007, the Detroit Red Wings signed
Rafalski, a Michigan native, to a $30 million,
five-year contract.
Rafalski set a career high in goals (11) after
scoring against the St. Louis Blues on March 5.
