[2] Iafrate was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft after a standout career with the Windsor Compuware Spitfires and a short but distinguished stay with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

[4] Iafrate began his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1984 and played 68 games as a rookie blue liner putting up 21 points for the struggling club.

His breakthrough came during his fourth season in the league when his heavy slapshot helped him score 22 goals and 52 points and Iafrate skated in his first All-Star Game.

Iafrate failed to build on his career-best campaign and got off to a slow start in 1990–91 and eventually grew tired of the fishbowl pressures of playing in Toronto and personal issues with teammate Gary Leeman[5] so he requested a trade out of town.

Toronto General Manager Floyd Smith was aware of what he had given up in the deal: "This year he hasn't played like an All-Star, and he'd be the first to admit that, but he certainly has the ability.

"[5] With the Capitals, Iafrate joined an offensively potent defensive core featuring Kevin Hatcher and Calle Johansson and began to flourish.

General Manager David Poile, at the time of the trade told The Washington Post "Al is more a victim of us wanting to go after an offensive player.

"[8] The gamble, unfortunately, didn't pay off and Iafrate was severely limited by his litany of knee injuries and only managed to suit up for 59 games over the next two seasons for the Sharks.

[12] Iafrate dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament in a knee, sciatic nerve damage in his back, and a ruptured appendix.