Rafalski among inductees into U.S. Hockey HOF

Colorado Springs, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Former NHL defenseman Brian Rafalski is among this year's inductees into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

The two-time Olympic silver medalist and three-time Stanley Cup champion is joined by Karyn Bye Dietz, Jeff Sauer and Lou Vairo.

"The class of 2014 is an extraordinary collection of individuals that have had an immensely positive impact on hockey in our country," USA Hockey president Ron DeGregorio said in a statement Wednesday. "Cumulatively, they have been involved at every level of hockey and this group is a big reason why our sport has advanced to the point it has in the United States."

The induction ceremony will be held in Minnesota on Dec. 4.

Rafalski played 11 seasons in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings, registering 79 goals and 436 assists in 833 career games. His 515 points are the 10th-most among American defensemen.

The Michigan native helped the United States win silver at the 2002 and 2010 Olympics.

Bye Dietz helped Team USA win the first Olympic gold medal ever presented in women's ice hockey at the 1998 Nagano Games, leading the squad with five goals in six games. She also was a key contributor on the silver medal-winning team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Sauer amassed 655 wins and two national championships, both at the University of Wisconsin, during 31 years of coaching NCAA Division I men's hockey.

Vairo has served as director of special projects for USA Hockey since 1992. A scout for the U.S. men's "Miracle on Ice" team that won Olympic gold in 1980, he was head coach of the 1984 team and an assistant on the 2002 team.