Al Iafrate

Lore & Background

Iafrate had one of the hardest slapshots in hockey history. He set a record for velocity during the NHL Skills Competition of 1993, a record which stood for 16 years, at 105.2 mph. The record was broken in 2009 by Zdeno Chára of the Boston Bruins with a slapshot at 105.4 mph in Montreal. Internationally, Iafrate has represented the United States at the 1984 Winter Olympics and 1998 IIHF World Championship.

Reader's Guide

Iafrate was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1984 NHL entry draft. He began his NHL career with the Maple Leafs in 1984. He was traded to the Washington Capitals, then to the Boston Bruins, then to the San Jose Sharks. He signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in 1998 but retired before training camp. He attempted a comeback in 2001 but did not play again. He played 799 career NHL games, scoring 152 goals and 311 assists for 463 points, with 1301 penalty minutes.

Did You Know?

• He missed the entire 1994–95 and 1995–96 seasons due to back and knee injuries.
• His best season statistically was 1992–93 with the Washington Capitals, when he scored 25 goals and 41 assists.
• He was selected to four NHL All-Star Games: 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994.