Ryan Cruthers

Ryan Cruthers
Born	(1984-07-04) July 4, 1984
Occupation(s)	Ice hockey player (retired), coach
Known for	Head coach for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the USHL; former professional ice hockey player

Ryan Cruthers (born July 4, 1984) is a retired professional ice hockey athlete who currently serves as the head coach for the Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League (USHL).

Prior to his collegiate career, Cruthers captured an Eastern Junior Hockey League title with the New York Apple Core and also secured a New York State Championship while playing for St. Mary's High School. He initially enrolled at West Point, the United States Military Academy, before transferring to Robert Morris University (RMU). After sitting out one season due to NCAA transfer regulations, Cruthers rose to prominence as a leading college player during his senior year and earned a degree in Sports Management. In 2019, he returned to RMU as an assistant coach for their NCAA men's ice hockey squad competing in Atlantic Hockey.

Youth and junior hockey

During his time with the New York Apple Core in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL), Cruthers amassed 43 goals and 60 assists, totaling 103 points and playing a key role in winning the 2003 EJHL championship. He also accumulated 101 penalty minutes throughout his tenure. In July 2008, Cruthers was honored as a member of the New York Apple Core Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, which included 25 distinguished players, coaches, and owners.

At St. Mary's High School, he contributed to securing a New York State High School Championship.

Collegiate career

Cruthers launched his college hockey journey at the United States Military Academy, where he led his team in scoring during the 2003–04 season with 18 points (5 goals, 13 assists) and received the Heinmiller Award recognizing outstanding freshmen. The following season (2004–05), he ranked second in team scoring but led with 10 assists, finishing with 16 points overall.

Determined to pursue a professional hockey career rather than a military path, Cruthers transferred to Robert Morris University (RMU), having been recruited by head coach Derek Schooley. NCAA transfer rules required him to sit out the 2004–05 season. Upon returning in 2006–07, he topped RMU’s scoring charts with 37 points (17 goals, 10 assists). Serving as captain in 2007–08, Cruthers notched 49 points (22 goals, 27 assists), placing third nationally in points per game and earning nominations for both the Hobey Baker Award and Lowe's Senior Class Award. He was also RMU’s first player called up to compete in the American Hockey League.

Professional career

Following his collegiate tenure, Cruthers signed with the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL), an affiliate of the New York Islanders, participating in four regular-season games and contributing across 15 postseason contests as they advanced to the conference finals. During the 2008–09 season, he led the Mississippi Sea Wolves in scoring with 66 points (29 goals, 37 assists) and appeared in nine AHL games split between the Lake Erie Monsters and Albany River Rats.

In the 2009–10 campaign, Cruthers briefly joined the Texas Brahmas (CHL) before moving to the Reading Royals (ECHL), where he led the team with 71 points over 60 games and topped ECHL playoff scoring with 24 points as they reached the American Conference finals. Additionally, he played eight AHL games for the Norfolk Admirals.

Cruthers returned to Reading for the 2010–11 season as team captain and secured try-out agreements with several AHL teams including Lake Erie Monsters, Manitoba Moose, and Hershey Bears.

On March 8, 2012, Reading traded him to the Alaska Aces (ECHL). Subsequently, he became the inaugural signing for expansion club Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) in July 2012. After two more seasons back with Reading, Cruthers retired from professional play in June 2015 to accept a head coaching role with the Charlotte Rush in the United States Premier Hockey League.

By 2018, he had progressed to head coach and assistant general manager of Tier I junior club Chicago Steel within the United States Hockey League, later taking on head coaching responsibilities for Tier II junior team Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2003–04	Army	AHA		29	5	13	18	42		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Army	AHA		18	6	10	16	14		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Robert Morris University	CHA		34	17	20	37	32		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Robert Morris University	CHA		34	22	27	49	40		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Utah Grizzlies	ECHL		4	0	2	2	2		15	1	4	5	4
2008–09	Mississippi Sea Wolves	ECHL		65	29	37	66	72		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Lake Erie Monsters	AHL		5	0	2	2	2		—	—	—	—

2008–09	Albany River Rats	AHL	4	0	0	0	8	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Texas Brahmas	CHL	4	0	0	0	2	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Reading Royals	ECHL	60	22	49	71	71	16	8	16	24	12
2009–10	Norfolk Admirals	AHL	8	0	1	1	2	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Reading Royals	ECHL	51	22	35	57	44	8	5	3	8	4
2010–11	Lake Erie Monsters AHL 1	0	0	0	0
2010–11	Manitoba Moose	AHL	12	3	1	4	11
2010–11	Hershey Bears	AHL	2	0	0	0	0
2011–12 ECHL season	Reading Royals	ECHL	48	11	28	39	77
2011–12	Alaska Aces (ECHL)	ECHL	11	2	1	3	6	10	4	2	6	29
2012–13 ECHL season	Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)	ECHL	71	23	22	45	138
2013–14 ECHL season	Reading Royals	ECHL	53	16	40	56	42	5	0	2	2	6
2014–15 ECHL season	Reading Royals	ECHL	66	15	35	50	65	7	1	4	5	9
AHL career totals			32	3	4	7	23	—	—	—	—	—

Awards and honours

Award	Year
College
All-CHA First Team	2007–08

• Heinmiller Award (USMA)
• CHA Player of the Year 2008 (College Hockey America)
• RMU Most Valuable Player 2008
• RMU Best Offensive Player 2008
• Easton Three Star Award (College Hockey America)
• Inside College Hockey Third Team All American
• 2007 NYE Frontier Classic All Tournament Team

Cruthers was also a candidate for two notable collegiate distinctions:

• Hobey Baker Award
• Lowes Senior Class Award