Former Vancouver Canucks draft pick arrested

A former hockey player who was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks is the suspect in an investigation that involves millions of dollars in alleged real estate fraud.

Prabhraj (Prab) Rai, drafted in the 5th round (131st overall) by Vancouver in 2008, has been accused by RCMP in Surrey, B.C. of conning people out of "several million dollars" after a person came forward over two years ago to make a complaint.




Rai is also being sued by a realtor who claims Rai told them he had connections with retired hockey players, and successful business people, while convicing this person to give him $2.8 million for real estate and other investments. Then, Rai allegedly told them the investments made a profit, but it was being tied up by the U.S. government and he couldn't access them. Rai responded that the realtor had been trying to get in with him for years, and became upset when Rai tried to limit his involvement with him.

Despite an excellent junior career with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, and signing an entry-level contract with Vancouver, the highest level of hockey Rai played was in the ECHL. He spent parts of three seasons there before deciding to retire.