Marshall Rifai

Last updated

Marshall Rifai
Born (1998-03-16) March 16, 1998 (age 26)
Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2022–present

Marshall Rifai (born March 16, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Contents

Playing career

Growing up in the Montreal area, Rifai played junior hockey in the Quebec youth systems. Although Rifai had hoped to enter the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League when he reached the 16-year old eligibility requirement, he recognized that he was unlikely to be drafted as an undersized 5-foot-7-inch (1.70 m) tall player, and instead opted to enroll in Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, where he continued to play hockey. [1] Playing two years at Hotchkiss, Rafai experienced a growth spurt; in light of this, he went undrafted in his debut class of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s 2016 draft. [1] [2] He then played one season in the United States Hockey League, split across the Omaha Lancers and the Des Moines Buccaneers, before enrolling at Harvard University. He is of Syrian descent.

In his rookie season with the Harvard Crimson, Rifai only appeared in six games, going scoreless. He became a mainstay on the team in his sophomore season, appearing in 30 games with the club and winning the Donald Angier Hockey Trophy for the Crimson player showing the greatest improvement from their previous season. [3] The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of winter athletics at Ivy League universities, including Harvard, but Rifai returned to the team in his final season, again a mainstay on the school's blueline as the team won the ECAC Championship. [4] Upon graduation, Rifai was courted with NHL offers from several teams, but ultimately decided to sign a one-year contract with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL), owing to the parent club Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL detailed development plan they had prepared for his success. [1] [5]

In his debut professional season, Rifai appeared in 69 games with the Marlies, recording 16 points in the regular season before appearing in 5 playoff games with the team. At the conclusion of his season with the Marlies, the Maple Leafs signed Rifai to a two-year, entry-level NHL contract on July 1, 2023. [6] He again began his sophomore season on the Marlies, playing with the team until February. On February 18, 2024, Rifai was recalled by the Maple Leafs on an emergency basis, after a suspension to Morgan Rielly and the absence of three other team defencemen in the preceding days (Mark Giordano from the recent death of his father, and Conor Timmins and William Lagesson to injury). [7] He made his NHL debut the following afternoon, recording 11:33 of ice time and 1 shot on the bottom defence pairing in a 4–2 win over the St. Louis Blues. [8] After appearing in one more game with the Maple Leafs, Rifai was returned to the Marlies. [9]

On September 5, 2024, Rifai signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract extension with the Maple Leafs. [10]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2014–15 Hotchkiss School HS Prep 242810——————
2015–16Hotchkiss SchoolHS Prep1931619——————
2016–17Hotchkiss SchoolHS Prep2191928——————
2017–18 Omaha Lancers USHL 1315610—————
2017–18 Des Moines Buccaneers USHL374141848—————
2018–19 Harvard University ECAC 60002—————
2019–20 Harvard UniversityECAC3017820—————
2021–22 Harvard UniversityECAC35581320—————
2022–23 Toronto Marlies AHL 694121611850114
2023–24 Toronto MarliesAHL57217197133142
2023–24 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 20000—————
NHL totals20000—————

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Korbinian Holzer</span> German ice hockey player (born 1988)

Korbinian Holzer is a German professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Adler Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He previously played for the Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators, and Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Muzzin</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1989)

Jacob Muzzin is a former Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and works in Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He previously had played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs. Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Muzzin went unsigned and returned to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as an overage player. There he served as team captain and won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the top defenceman in the OHL. As a free agent, Muzzin signed with the Kings in 2010, winning a Stanley Cup with the team in 2014. Muzzin was traded to Toronto during the 2018–19 season, where he played parts of five seasons. After a spinal injury suffered in 2022 resulted in his placement on long-term injured reserve, Muzzin joined the Maple Leafs' front office as a professional scout in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordie Benn</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1987)

Phillip Jordan Ellis Benn is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. An undrafted player, Benn played for the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs and Brynäs IF. He is the older brother of Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan Rielly</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Morgan Frederick Rielly is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the first round, fifth overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Before being drafted, Rielly played with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. He has represented Canada internationally on several occasions, most notably at the 2016 World Championship, where he won a gold medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Biega (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1988)

Alex Biega is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Biega was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the 5th round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and played the majority of his career with the Vancouver Canucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Corrado</span> Canadian ice hockey player (b. 1993)

Francesco Corrado is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round, 150th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Corrado made his NHL debut for the Canucks during the 2012-13 season. He also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calle Rosén</span> Swedish ice hockey player

Calle Rosén is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Colorado Eagles in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg McKegg</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1992)

Greg McKegg is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing for the BK Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Extraliga (ELH). McKegg was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He notably wore number 69 in the preseason for the Maple Leafs. McKegg also became a fan favorite with the Rangers in both stints with the team.

Ilya Nikolaevich Lyubushkin is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Anaheim Ducks of the NHL and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Jesper Lindgren is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently under contract with IF Björklöven of the HockeyAllsvenskan (Allsv).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Dermott</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1996)

Travis Dermott is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dermott was rated as a top prospect projected as a possible first round pick in the 2015 NHL entry draft but was ultimately selected in the second round, 34th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has previously played for the Maple Leafs, the Vancouver Canucks and the Arizona Coyotes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timothy Liljegren</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 1999)

Timothy Winston Liljegren is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs drafted him in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2017 NHL entry draft. Internationally, he represents Sweden.

Mikko Kokkonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect under contract to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 84th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rasmus Sandin</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 2000)

Carl Erik Rasmus Sandin is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 29th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Sandin has previously played for the Maple Leafs and Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pontus Holmberg</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 1999)

Pontus Holmberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Lagesson</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 1996)

William Lagesson is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 91st overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2014 NHL entry draft. Lagesson has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Anaheim Ducks.

Nicholas Robertson is an American professional ice hockey left winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 53rd overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2019 NHL entry draft. He made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, where he had 1 goal in 4 games. He is the younger brother of Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson.

Simon Benoit is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noel Hoefenmayer</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1999)

Noel Hoefenmayer is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fourth round, 108th overall, by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL entry draft.

Bobby McMann is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kloke, Joshua (October 26, 2022). "Meet Marshall Rifai: The Maple Leafs' next diamond in the rough?". The Athletic . The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Hockey Operations Guidelines – NHL.com – NHL Headquarters". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Men's Ice Hockey Honors Seniors, Announces Team Awards at Annual Banquet". Harvard University. March 20, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  4. ↑ Borzello, Jeff (November 12, 2020). "Ivy League cancels winter sports season, delays spring play". ESPN . ESPN Inc. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Toronto Marlies Sign Defenceman Marshall Rifai". Toronto Marlies . Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment. March 29, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Maple Leafs Sign Four Players". Toronto Maple Leafs. July 1, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2024– via NHL.com.
  7. ↑ Kloke, Joshua (February 18, 2024). "Why the Maple Leafs are turning to Marshall Rifai to help their ailing blue line". The Athletic . The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Maple Leafs' Rifai makes NHL debut against Blues". TSN . Bell Media. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  9. ↑ Barden, Nick (February 28, 2024). "'When Nobody's Watching, He's Still Working': How Marshall Rifai Turned an AHL Contract into a NHL Debut with the Maple Leafs". The Hockey News. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Maple Leafs sign defenceman Marshall Rifai to two-year contract extension". Sportsnet. September 5, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.