Brian Rafalski caught 'the bug' to resume NHL career at Winter Classic

According to Florida Everblades head coach Greg Poss, 40-year old Brian Rafalski's Winter Classic alumni game experience played a major role in his desire to return to the game of hockey. 

“He played in the Winter Classic alumni game and got the bug,” Poss told the News-Press. “He wants to play in the NHL again.”

According to Ansar Kahn of MLive, Rafalski made an official request to the Red Wings that would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent, which they granted; otherwise, he would have been Detroit property for three years from the time of his retirement in 2011.

Rafalski, who resides in Florida, reportedly wants to play close to home in while determining his potential future in the NHL.