Brian Rolston (Born February 21, 1973 in Flint,
Michigan) is a professional ice hockey player
currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the
National Hockey League.
Brian Rolston signed with the Minnesota Wild as an
unrestricted free agent on July 8, 2004, though his
debut with the Wild didn't take place until the
2005-2006 season due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout. The
6'2', 210 pound lefty is best known for his highly
regarded two-way ability.
Rolston was drafted in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by
the New Jersey Devils as their first overall pick.
He has played for the New Jersey Devils, the
Colorado Avalanche and then was traded to the Boston
Bruins. He scored a then career high 62 points,
including an impressive 9 shorthanded goals in
2001-2002 with the Bruins. Within his career he has
scored a total of 32 shorthanded goals. In 2004,
Rolston signed with the Minnesota Wild as an
unrestricted free agent with a contract option
available for the 2006-2007 season. Rolston is
considered a utility forward, as he can play as a
centre, left wing and right wing competently.
Rolston often quarterbacks the Minnesota Wild's
powerplay (a task normally given to a defenceman)
due to his booming shot from the point and strong
two-way ability. During the 2005-2006 season, he has
been an on-ice leader and is one of the Minnesota
Wild's top scorers. During the 2005-2006 season (his
first season playing for the Wild) Rolston scored a
new career high of 79 pts. He was named as team
captain for the Minnesota Wild for February,
October, November 2006 and January 2007.
During 2006-07, Rolston scored three goals (one on a
penalty shot and two in overtime shootouts), using a
slapshot from the point.
He won a Stanley Cup Championship with the New
Jersey Devils in 1995, and the World Cup of Hockey
in 1996 playing for Team USA. In the Salt Lake City
Olympics of 2002, he won the Silver Medal playing
for the United States mens hockey team.
Prior to his NHL career, Rolston played for Lake
Superior State University (where as a freshman he
scored the game winning goal and earned Most
Outstanding Player honors in the National
Championship game, which his team won), then the
Albany River Rats of the AHL.
Rolston has represented the United States of America
three times in Olympic competition for Ice Hockey.
Rolston was selected for the 2006-07 NHL Western
Conference All-Star Team. During the game Rolston
scored 2 goals and added 2 assists.
Currently holds single season point scoring record
for the Minnesota Wild of the NHL with 34 goals and
45 assists for 79 points in 80 games played (as of
April 13th 2006).
Brian has three sons, Ryder Scott (b. 31 Oct 2001),
Brody and Stone.
