Classy Sports Departure

He grew up in the same town I did, was a half generation ahead of me, but gave us all something to shoot for as kids growing up playing the sport that makes "Hockeytown" famous. Unfortunately, for most of his career he played on an enemy team – but the real trick was that he wasn't even supposed to be on any team.

We hear about athletes that are larger than life, this athlete was probably smaller than you. You probably don't know his name unless you follow hockey, but you should. He was quiet, small, and unassuming - but his team could always count on him. Apparently so can his family, but more importantly so can God. He retired with class, a bit of surprise, and with his focus on his priorities - his virtues.

From the Detroit News:

There were no tears, nor was there any hint of regret about passing up $6 million. ("As far as the money goes, there are more important things in life," Rafalski said.) In fact, Holland said Rafalski already had been in his office Wednesday morning to sign his retirement papers.

"So it's completely official," Holland said. "He's retired as a player."

He retires with some impressive statistics — 79 goals and 515 points in 833 regular-season games, plus another 29 goals and 100 points (13th-most all-time by a defenseman) in 165 career playoff games. But what's more impressive is that the 5-foot-10 Rafalski did all that as a player who went undrafted out of college at the University of Wisconsin.

He was too small, the scouts said and the GMs agreed, so Rafalski spent four years playing pro hockey in Sweden and Finland before finally getting a shot at the NHL at age 26.

All he has done in the decade since is blaze a trail for players of similar stature.

"He's an incredible story," Holland said.

Yet as difficult as this final chapter was to write, Rafalski also called this season the "most rewarding" of his career. And with a heavy emphasis on his faith Wednesday, he made it clear this decision was about much more than hockey. Mostly, it was about family, as he and Felicity have three sons, with the eldest, Danny, ready to start high school in the fall.

So before Rafalski closed his remarks citing Scripture — Romans 8:28 was "appropriate" not just for the meaning, he joked, but also because it matched his jersey number — he plainly explained his motivation for leaving behind the game he loves.

"We went through a long process of weighing the factors in our lives and at the end of the day it came down to priorities," he said. "At the top of the priorities came serving God, serving my family and serving others. ... With hockey not being at the top, it was time to move on."

Thanks for the memories Rafalski, and thanks for being the kind of athlete we can tell our children about and that they can look up to. There are few people that can walk away from $6 Million dollars simply by not talking about it at all. Money wasn't in this decision - God, family, and other people were... what hope that inspires.

Go Wings!

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