Brian Rafalski

Brian Rafalski is an American defenseman on the Detroit Red Wings.

Rafalski was never drafted. After playing his college hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he played for Brynas IF in Sweden and then HPK and HIFK of the Finnish SM-liiga. He was the first North American to win the players' vote as top player in the league. In 1999, he was named the best hockey player not in the NHL, and was signed by the New Jersey Devils.

At 26 years old, he was one of the oldest rookies in history, and helped the Devils win the Cup in 2000. He led the team in scoring in 2001 with 52 points. In 2003, he won his 2nd Cup with New Jersey. When his contract expired with the Devils, he signed with the Red Wings in 2007, where he won his 3rd Stanley Cup, scoring a powerplay goal in the final victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6.

Rafalski has played for Team USA numerous times, winning a silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

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