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Rafalski stays in check

An even-tempered nature is paying Stanley Cup dividends for the young Devils defenseman.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 4, 2001

There is a calmness to Brian Rafalski.

You saw it in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final when the Avalanche's Shjon Podein took a run at the Devils' 5-foot-9 defenseman. Podein crushed Rafalski, who simply skated away while Podein was called for elbowing.

You hear it in his voice, which is not exactly monotone but devoid of emotional outbursts.

You are convinced of it when you listen to the way Rafalski, undrafted after four seasons at the University of Wisconsin, got his shot in the NHL.

Rafalski was a 21-year-old cigarette salesman, pushing his product at gas stations and convenience stores throughout Wisconsin, when he quit to play hockey in Europe.

"I knew with expansion and the way the NHL was changing a little bit, I might get a chance," he said. "Once I got a chance, I ran with it."

It is one of the great success stories of the best-of-seven series, which is tied at 2 and returns to Denver for tonight's Game 5 at the Pepsi Center.

Rafalski, 27, is the Devils' No. 3 playoff scorer, and with 16 points on seven goals and nine assists is behind only Colorado's Rob Blake among league defensemen. At plus-10, he is tied for the lead with St. Louis' Chris Pronger.

Not bad for someone referred to in some newspaper stories as a "garden gnome" and "vertically challenged."

The barbs, like Podein, rolled off Rafalski's sturdy 200-pound frame.

"To be in this situation is totally exciting," he said. "To make it to this level, not many players can. It's something I take great pride in making."

Rafalski was undrafted because of his size. But after a season in Sweden and three in Finland (the last produced 19 goals, 34 assists in 53 games), he signed for the 1999-00 season with the Devils, who were looking for a speedy defenseman to help kick-start their offense.

The payoff was immediate. Rafalski scored five goals with 27 assists that season. His 52 points this season (nine goals, 43 assists) led Devils defensemen, the first time a player other than Scott Stevens or Scott Niedermayer has done so since 1990-91.

"Last year I was a lot more nervous every game," Rafalski said. "This year, I'm more relaxed and not letting the exterior pressures get to me. It's good to be nervous, but too nervous can make you over-tight."

"To me, he's playing like he's always played," Niedermayer said. "He was always creative and had a good shot, and he plays with a lot of confidence."

That, oddly enough, can be a problem. Devils coach Larry Robinson said Rafalski sometimes focuses too much on his offense.

Still, it was Rafalski's puck skills that prompted the Avalanche to decide one of its strategies would be to hit Rafalski at every opportunity.

Asked if he was being targeted, Rafalski simply said "nope," and Robinson said Rafalski is getting the same treatment as Niedermayer, another offensive-minded player.

"It's a case where they realize those are the guys that move the puck well, and I think they are just trying to finish their checks," the coach said. "I think that's how you wear people out, and when they're tired, they're more prone to make mistakes."

Rafalski has made few in his career. He used his time in Europe to fine-tune his offensive skills, and it didn't hurt that he made the transition to the NHL with one of the league's best teams.

His success earned him a four-year, $11-million contract.

Rafalski said he never doubted he would get his chance in the NHL. But he never imagined that after two seasons he could have two Stanley Cup rings.

"It's great to be where I am now, but I haven't reached my peak," he said. "I just have to keep improving. Right now, I'm just concentrating on getting the job done."

A job nobody has to tell him is better than selling cigarettes.

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