Rick Bragnalo

Richard James Bragnalo is a Canadian-Italian retired ice hockey centre. He played 145 games in the National Hockey League with the Washington Capitals from 1976 to 1979. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1974 to 1992, was mainly spent in the Italian Serie A. Internationally Bragnalo played for the Italian national team at six World Championships.

Playing career

Bragnalo was born in Fort William, Ontario. After playing college hockey at the University of Denver, Bragnalo was signed by the Washington Capitals as a free agent in 1976. Bragnalo played parts of four seasons for the Capitals. After playing a few years in the minors, Bragnalo moved on to playing hockey in the Italian Serie A with Val Pusteria Wolves, former EV Brunico, and with his Italian heritage, he was able to play for Italy on several occasions including at the A Pool of the 1982 and 1983 World Championships. He signed for HC Milano Saima in 1990, scoring the goal that permitted Milano to win the league in 1990/91. He retired in 1992.