Former Olympian Brian Rafalski Signs With Karmanos's Florida Everblades

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Link: http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24403874/brian-rafalski-returning-to-pro-hockey-with-echl-florida-everblades

 

On Thursday the Florida Everblades of the ECHL announced that they have signed the 40-year-old Rafalski, who hasn't played in the NHL since 2010-11 with the Red Wings when a knee issue led him to retire at the age of 37.

 

The Everblades who are Carolina's (and Tampa's) ECHL team are owned partially by the Karmanos's...

 

In my opinion, this has Karmanos written all over it. The Canes have already resurrected the careers of Manny Malhotra and Radek Dvorak; and at least tried to resurrect the career of Rick DiPietro... It seems as if they are going to try to do the same thing with Brian Rafalski.

 

Now before someone says that Tampa could have interest in Rafalski, Tampa officials have already shot down the idea saying that they have no interest in bringing in Rafalski.

 

It will be interesting to see how this story plays out.

 

Fun Fact: In Rafalski's 11 year NHL career, he never had a negative +/- rating.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

I'll do a little more research on this topic and find out when Rafalski's first ECHL game is tomorrow.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Tweet from the Canes PR Department...

 

Michael Smith ‏@MSmithCanes

LRT: If you missed it last night, Brian Rafalski, 40, has signed with the ECHL's Florida Everblades. http://floridaeverblades.com/blades-add-three-time-stanley-cup-winner-rafalski/ …

[beuer1]

I bet he's bored.  Lives in Florida anyway.  I doubt the canes had anything to do with this.