Thursday, June 28, 2012

Getting To Know: Brad Ryan

Brad Ryan (2) is a big defenceman at 6'5" 210lbs

Brad Ryan is a newly acquired defenceman that will be making it difficult for the opposition to get in and setup in the Spruce Kings zone. The twenty year old from Mississauga Ontario was acquired in a trade with the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he had spent the previous three seasons earning a reputation as a big strong defenceman with an offensive upside.

And he is big standing 6' 5" before he puts on his skates and weighing 210 pounds. In his first year, Ryan earned a roster spot on a team that was considered very deep and very talented; going on to compete in the RBC Royal Bank Cup in Dauphin Manitoba.

During his time with the Blades Ryan played in 95 regular season games and 34 post season games picking up a combined total of 3 goals, 56 assists and 223 minutes in penalties. Now in his last year of junior eligibility Ryan is looking to make an impression with a NCAA program and the opportunity couldn't be better for him.

With the likes of Ben Matthews and Ben Woodley graduating and Chase Golightly moving onto the collegiate ranks himself, there are a few key vacancies to be filled on the blue line. Perhaps with his size and his puck moving abilities the transition from last year's defensive core to this year's will be seamless.

Brad Ryan seems to think so as he told me in a phone interview. I was able to talk to him about what he knows of the BCHL and the Spruce Kings and also what he knows about himself.

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