A defenseman, Brian Rafalski played for the University of Wisconsin from 1991-95 but was not drafted by the NHL. He went to Europe, playing with Brynäs IF Gavle of the Swedish League, and then later in Finland with HPK Hameenlinna, and HIFK Helsinki. In both 1997 and 1999 he was awarded the Pekka Rautakallio Trophy as the best defenseman in the SM-Liiga, and in 1999 won the Kultainen Kypärä Award as the best player in the league. Rafalski moved up to the NHL in 1999 with the New Jersey Devils, and has since played for the Detroit Red Wings. In 1999-000 he was named to the NHL All-Rookie team, and he has played in two NHL All-Star Games (2004, 2007). He has played on three Stanley Cup Champions, with the Devils in 2000 and 2003, and the Red Wings in 2008, and also played in Stanley Cup finals in 2000 and 2009. Internationally, Rafalski has played in two Winter Olympics, and played for the USA at the 1992 and 1993 World Junior Championships, the 1995 and 1999 World Championships, and the 2005 World Cup.
United States