Michael Ryan (ice hockey)

Michael Ryan
Born	(1980-05-16) May 16, 1980 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Occupation(s)	Ice hockey player (retired), coach
Years active	1999–2016 (player)
Known for	Professional ice hockey forward in the NHL; Manager of Player Development for the Florida Panthers

Michael Ryan (born May 16, 1980) is a retired American professional ice hockey forward who competed in the National Hockey League (NHL). Presently, he serves as the Manager of Player Development for the Florida Panthers. Ryan was selected 32nd overall by the Dallas Stars during the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

In the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan was chosen in the second round as the 32nd overall pick by the Dallas Stars. His playing rights were later traded to the Buffalo Sabres in 2003, along with a draft pick, in return for Stu Barnes.

Following four seasons at Northeastern University—where he led his team in goals for three consecutive years—Ryan began his professional career with the Sabres' AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, during the 2003–04 season. He made his NHL debut with Buffalo in the 2006–07 season, participating in 19 games and netting his first two NHL goals on March 2, 2007, against Montreal.

In August 2008, Ryan signed a one-year contract with HC Dinamo Minsk but later attended Nashville Predators' training camp as a free agent tryout that same year before being released. By October 2008, he had secured a one-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats. During the 2008–09 season, Ryan appeared in 18 games for Carolina and was re-signed for an additional year in July 2009.

Ryan inked a professional tryout agreement with the Springfield Falcons (AHL) in October 2010. The Philadelphia Flyers subsequently signed him to a one-year contract in November 2010 and assigned him to their AHL team, the Adirondack Phantoms. In August 2011, Ryan returned to the Buffalo Sabres organization on a one-year contract to play once again for Rochester.

In May 2012, Ryan transitioned to European hockey by signing a one-year deal with Ässät of Finland’s SM-liiga. The following season, he joined KHL Medveščak Zagreb of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on a one-year contract.

After limited appearances during Finland’s Liiga 2015–16 season, Ryan decided to retire from professional hockey. He then embarked on his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL), an affiliate of the Florida Panthers, beginning with the 2016–17 season.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1997–98	Boston College High	USHS		23	22	14	36	28		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Boston College High	USHS		21	20	24	44	22		—	—	—	—	—
1999–00	Northeastern University	HE		32	4	9	13	47		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Northeastern University	HE		33	17	12	29	52		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Northeastern University	HE		36	24	15	39	54		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Northeastern University	HE		34	18	14	32	30		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Rochester Americans	AHL		45	3	9	12	31		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05 AHL season	Rochester Americans	AHL		59	11 External links