A former seventh round pick (208th overall) of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Bryan Rufenach, passed away this week while traveling in Switzerland. He was 23-years-old and no further details were given surrounding his unfortunate death.
↵Rufenach played for four years at Clarkson University in Postdam, New York before signing his first professional contract with the Toledo Walleye in March 2011. Rufenach played in 60 games in all for the Walleye, tallying 14 goals and 21 assists. He was third in the the ECHL for defensemen with goals this past season with 13. On three separate occasions, Rufenach was promoted to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, where he played 13 games.
↵"The entire team’s thoughts and prayers are with Bryan’s family as they get through this difficult time. Bryan was a great teammate and would play any role asked of him," the Walleye head coach Nick Vitucci said on Tuesday.