Raffi Torres is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was known for his physical play and aggressive style on the ice, which often led to controversy and disciplinary action from the league.
Torres began his professional career in 2000, playing for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the American Hockey League (AHL). He was drafted by the New York Islanders in 2000, but did not make his NHL debut until 2002 with the Edmonton Oilers. Torres played for several teams throughout his career, including the Columbus Blue Jackets, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, and finally the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Throughout his career, Torres was known for his hard hits and physical play, which often led to injuries for both himself and his opponents. He was suspended multiple times by the NHL for illegal hits, including a 25-game suspension in 2012 for a hit on Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks during the playoffs. The suspension was later reduced to 21 games after an appeal.
Despite his controversial style of play, Torres was a valuable player for many of the teams he played for. He was known for his ability to score clutch goals in important games, and was a key player on several playoff teams throughout his career. In total, Torres played in over 700 NHL games, scoring 137 goals and 131 assists.
In addition to his NHL career, Torres also represented Canada in international play. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2003 World Junior Championships, and also played for Canada at the 2006 World Championships.
Torres retired from professional hockey in 2018, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Despite his controversial reputation on the ice, he was widely respected by his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
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