Brian Rafalski
Brian Rafalski was named by the Sporting News in 1999 as the best hockey player in the world not playing in the NHL. In May of 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. Rafalski finished the season with 32 points and 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 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 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, putting up 47 points. He was selected to participate in the NHL All-Star Game, but had to sit out due to injury. Rafalski 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 defensemen in scoring with 40 points. Rafalski was a vital part of the Devils defence that helped the team win its third Stanley Cup in eight seasons. He has also continued to represent America in international play, playing in both the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2006 Winter Olympics.
In July of 2007, Rafalski was signed to the Detroit Red Wings. He is a productive defenseman that will likely lead the Wings in ice time (possibly split with Lidstrom) and will put up some nice point totals. Rafalski is great on the power play as he sees the ice well and has a great sense of the direction of play. He is unfortunately prone to giveaways and needs to work on his play against tougher physical opponents.
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