Walleye player dies after touching power line

6/6/2012

Toledo Walleye defenseman Bryan Rufenach died after touching an overhead power line at a train station in Grindelwald, Switzerland.

According to the Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten, Rufenach died around 3:30 in the morning on Tuesday.

Rufenach, 23, was with a childhood friend on a backpacking tour through Europe. The pair had climbed aboard a stationary train car in Grindelwald when he touched the overhead line and was electrocuted.

Rufenach's friend tried to resuscitate him and an ambulance was called to the scene. But Rufenach died of his injuries, according to the newspaper.

Rufenach played in 54 games last season for the Walleye and was the team's third-leading scorer.

A native of Barrie, Ontario, Rufenach was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the seventh round of the 2007 NHL draft. He signed his first pro contract with the Walleye on March 25, 2011.

Rufenach, 6-foot and 192 pounds, scored 13 goals last season, which ranked him third among all ECHL defensemen.

Funeral arrangements are pending.