Breaking News: Red Wings Bring Brogan Rafferty Back from Grand Rapids

The Red Wings summon Brogan Rafferty from Grand Rapids.

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have announced the recall of defenseman Brogan Rafferty from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Rafferty, aged 28, has amassed 16 points (2 goals, 14 assists) and incurred six penalty minutes over 38 games with the Griffins during the 2023-24 season. Standing at 6 feet and weighing 197 pounds, the defenseman spent the entirety of the 2022-23 season with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. During that season, he led the team’s defensemen in various categories, including goals (9), assists (42), points (51), plus/minus rating (+28), power play goals (2), and shots (154). His remarkable performance earned him a spot on the AHL Second All-Star Team. Rafferty also played a pivotal role in helping the Firebirds advance to the Calder Cup Finals in their inaugural season, registering 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) and four penalty minutes across 26 postseason contests.

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vancouver Canucks on April 1, 2019, Rafferty contributed one assist in three appearances with the club during the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons. In his AHL career since 2019-20, Rafferty has accrued 136 points (22 goals, 114 assists), maintained a plus-48 rating, and served 96 penalty minutes over 232 games with the Utica Comets, San Diego Gulls, Firebirds, and Griffins. His accomplishments include participating in the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic and being selected to the league’s Second All-Star Team and All-Rookie Team after leading all first-year players with 38 assists.

Before transitioning to professional hockey, Rafferty played three seasons at Quinnipiac University from 2016-19, where he recorded 65 points (10 goals, 55 assists) and incurred 100 penalty minutes in 116 games. The native of West Dundee, Ill., also spent the 2015-16 season with the Bloomington Thunder of the United States Hockey League, contributing 28 points (2 goals, 26 assists) and 30 penalty minutes in 60 regular-season games, along with nine points (3 goals, 6 assists) and four penalty minutes in 10 postseason matchups. Additionally, Rafferty accumulated 56 points (8 goals, 48 assists) and 105 penalty minutes in 110 North American Hockey League games with the Topeka Roadrunners and Coulee Region Chill from 2012-15.