Philadelphia Flyers

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Lore & Background

Rinaldo's professional journey began after he was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the sixth round, 178th overall, of the 2008 NHL entry draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract on August 11, 2009, and made his NHL debut on April 22, 2011, during Game 5 of the first round against the Buffalo Sabres. His tenure with the Flyers was marked by a reputation for physical play; notably, in the 2010–11 season with their AHL affiliate Adirondack Phantoms, he recorded more suspensions (4) than goals scored (3). In October 2011, he secured a spot on the opening night roster, sharing enforcing duties with veteran Jody Shelley. On April 17, 2013, Rinaldo signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract extension with Philadelphia before his departure.

In Their Own Story

Rinaldo's time in Boston began after he was traded to the Bruins following the 2014–15 season in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2017 NHL entry draft. His tenure there was turbulent; on March 1, 2016, he received a five-game suspension for an illegal hit on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cédric Paquette, resulting in a $51,829.25 pay forfeiture. After clearing waivers and being sent to the Providence Bruins, he faced immediate further discipline on March 4, 2016, receiving a match penalty for intent to injure against Bridgeport Sound Tigers defenceman Kane Lafranchise, leading to an indefinite suspension later reduced to five games for a head-targeting hit. He left the organization as a free agent after two seasons, having spent the entire 2016–17 campaign in the minors.

Reader's Guide

After leaving Boston, Rinaldo signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes on July 1, 2017. He served a suspended five-game penalty from March 2016 upon his return to the NHL, playing his first full season since 2015. However, on December 23, 2017, he was suspended for six games after sucker-punching Colorado Avalanche defenceman Samuel Girard. He later reunited with former Flyers coach Peter Laviolette by signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators on July 2, 2018, posting 1 goal and 3 points in 23 appearances during the 2018–19 season. Rinaldo eventually joined the Calgary Flames on September 29, 2019, signing a one-year, two-way $700,000 contract after a successful try-out, which was extended for another year on October 9, 2020.

Did You Know?

• During the 2010–11 season with the Adirondack Phantoms, Rinaldo had more suspensions (4) than goals scored (3).
• On January 26, 2015, Rinaldo was suspended eight games for charging Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang and forfeited $73,170.72 in pay.
• Rinaldo received a match penalty on March 4, 2016, for intent to injure against Kane Lafranchise, which led to an indefinite suspension by the AHL before being set at five games.
• On December 23, 2017, Rinaldo was suspended six games after sucker-punching Colorado Avalanche defenceman Samuel Girard.
• In August 2021, Rinaldo signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets but was uninvited to training camp and told to report to the Cleveland Monsters because he had not received the COVID-19 vaccine.