Rafael Diaz
Encyclopedia
Rafael Diaz is a Swiss professional ice hockey
defenceman currently playing with the Montreal Canadiens
in the National Hockey League
(NHL). He began his professional career with EV Zug
in 2003.
Diaz was selected to play for the Switzerland men's national ice hockey team at the 2010 Winter Olympics
. He previously represented Switzerland at the 2004 IIHF World U18 Championships
, the 2005 and 2006 IIHF World U20 Championship, and the 2008 Ice Hockey World Championship.
On May 13, 2011, Diaz signed a one year two-way contract
with the Montreal Canadiens
of the NHL. Diaz scored his first NHL goal on Oct 18th 2011 against Ryan Miller
of the Buffalo Sabres
in the 2nd Period.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman currently playing with the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He began his professional career with EV Zug
EV Zug
EV Zug is a professional men's ice hockey team from Zug, Switzerland. They are a current member of National League A and play their home games at Bossard Arena.-History:EV Zug won its lone championship in the 1997–98 season....
in 2003.
Diaz was selected to play for the Switzerland men's national ice hockey team at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
. He previously represented Switzerland at the 2004 IIHF World U18 Championships
IIHF World U18 Championships
The IIHF World U18 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-18 ice hockey teams from around the world. The tournament is usually played in April and is organized according to a system similar to Ice Hockey World Championships and World...
, the 2005 and 2006 IIHF World U20 Championship, and the 2008 Ice Hockey World Championship.
On May 13, 2011, Diaz signed a one year two-way contract
Two-way contract
A two-way contract is a professional sports contract which stipulates that an athlete’s salary is dependent upon the league in which the athlete is assigned to play in...
with the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
of the NHL. Diaz scored his first NHL goal on Oct 18th 2011 against Ryan Miller
Ryan Miller
Ryan Miller is a professional ice hockey goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres.Other people named Ryan Miller:*Ryan Miller , video game designer and author*Ryan Miller , lead singer and guitar player for the band Guster...
of the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in the 2nd Period.