Detroit's Rafalski retires
Written by Heidi Pope Werner, Wednesday May 25 2011
Brian Rafalski will retire as a Red Wing. The 37-year-old from Dearborn, Mich. hung up the skates and bid adieu to 11 NHL seasons. One of the top defensemen of all-time, Rafalski played with the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings. He won two silver medals at the Olympic Games in 2005 and 2009 with Team USA.
Rafalski cited family and health as the major factors that lead to his decision to retire. He passed on the $6 million he would have been paid in his final season with the Detroit Red Wings.
Entering the National Hockey League in 1999, Rafalski amassed 79 goals and 515 points in 833 career games. He won the Stanley Cup three times, two with New Jersey and with the Red Wings in 2008.
During his collegiate career at Wisconsin, Rafalski was named to the First Team All-American as a senior in 1995, and WCHA Defensive Player of the Year that same season. He tallied 100 points in 150 career games with the Badgers.
Brian Rafalski will retire as a Red Wing. The 37-year-old from Dearborn, Mich. hung up the skates and bid adieu to 11 NHL seasons. One of the top defensemen of all-time, Rafalski played with the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings. He won two silver medals at the Olympic Games in 2005 and 2009 with Team USA.
Rafalski cited family and health as the major factors that lead to his decision to retire. He passed on the $6 million he would have been paid in his final season with the Detroit Red Wings.
Entering the National Hockey League in 1999, Rafalski amassed 79 goals and 515 points in 833 career games. He won the Stanley Cup three times, two with New Jersey and with the Red Wings in 2008.
During his collegiate career at Wisconsin, Rafalski was named to the First Team All-American as a senior in 1995, and WCHA Defensive Player of the Year that same season. He tallied 100 points in 150 career games with the Badgers.
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