Fantasy Summary
Fleet-footed defender offers a strong transitional game.
Observations
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November 2022 – Rafferty was signed by the Kraken in the offseason, and thus far has provided seven assists over 12 games with the Coachella Firebirds. He has not been called up to the NHL with any regularity over his NHL career, and barring a slew of injuries in Seattle, it remains to be seen if this will change. Alex Wyatt
May 2022 – Rafferty put forth a strong year with San Diego, but was never called up to the big club. At the age of 26, his slim window has probably closed. Dobber
July 2021 – As expected, Rafferty, who was not given his day in Vancouver, has officially signed a one-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks. Dave Hall
June 2021 – Despite finishing third in defenceman scoring with 45 points in his first and only AHL campaign, Rafferty has yet to be given a true sniff at the NHL level. He spent the 2020-21 season glued to the club’s Taxi Squad, slotting in for just a single game during that time. He registered an assist but failed to impress the coaching enough to warrant a second look. There is obvious frustration at the moment, given that he was promised an opportunity when he signed as an NCAA free agent. Obviously, with just a single game on his resume, despite a struggling defensive core, that shot has yet to be given. The now 26-year-old will have the option of walking away in search of consistent NHL game action. Dave Hall
March 2020 – Rafferty concluded his first career pro season by producing 45 points in 57 games. That mark led all first-year blueliners and sat third overall for defenders in the AHL. The soon-to-be 25-year-old is nearly a finished product at this point. With the Canucks in tough to qualify or extend RFA, Troy Stecher this summer, Rafferty may just have his opportunity to see third-pairing minutes in 2020-21. His skillset will be useful on the man-advantage. He could be a sneaky depth add in draft next fall. Cam Robinson
December 2019 – It’s been one hell of a start to a professional career for the 24-year-old. Rafferty has stepped right into the AHL and been impactful. His 22 points in 27 contests lead all blueliners and he’s been showcasing the great skating and play-creation on a nightly basis. The late-bloomer is proving he was worth the free-agent contract and appears close to earning an NHL look in the New Year. For a club lacking in defensive prospects, Rafferty is making a push for the top of the heap despite joining the organization with a dearth of fanfare. Cam Robinson
April 2019 – The right-shot blueliner completed his third season at Quinnipiac and signed a one-year entry-level deal with the Canucks – the max length for a player his age. He’ll become a restricted free agent on July 1st. Rafferty played forward until his draft-eligible campaign before shifting to the blueline. He was also late to develop physically, as he stood 5’6 until around that time as well. This season, the late-bloomer posted an NCAA career-high in goals (4) and penalty minutes (60) while matching his freshman point total of 24 points. Expect the soon-to-be 24-year-old to see an NHL game or two in this last week of play. Cam Robinson
Stats
Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | Playoffs | GP | G | A | TP | PIM | |
2012-2013 | Team Illinois 18U AAA | HPHL 18U | 31 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 6 | | | ||||||
Amarillo Wranglers | NAHL | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | | | |||||||
2013-2014 | Coulee Region Chill | NAHL | 53 | 3 | 19 | 22 | 55 | | | ||||||
2014-2015 | Coulee Region Chill | NAHL | 56 | 4 | 28 | 32 | 50 | | | Playoffs | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
2015-2016 | Central Illinois Flying Aces | USHL | 60 | 2 | 26 | 28 | 30 | | | Playoffs | 10 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 4 |
2016-2017 | Quinnipiac Univ. | NCAA | 40 | 2 | 22 | 24 | 18 | | | ||||||
2017-2018 | Quinnipiac Univ. | NCAA | 38 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 22 | | | ||||||
2018-2019 | Quinnipiac Univ. | NCAA | 38 | 4 | 20 | 24 | 60 | | | ||||||
Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | | |||||||
2019-2020 | Utica Comets | AHL | 57 | 7 | 38 | 45 | 12 | | | ||||||
2020-2021 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | | | ||||||
2021-2022 | San Diego Gulls | AHL | 65 | 4 | 20 | 24 | 36 | | | Playoffs | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2022-2023 | Coachella Valley Firebirds | AHL | 72 | 9 | 42 | 51 | 42 | | | Playoffs | 26 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 4 |
2023-2024 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 62 | 4 | 25 | 29 | 8 | | | Playoffs | 9 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
2024-2025 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 14 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | | |
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