Ryan Sproul

August 2017 – Last season Sproul was able to get his feet wet at the NHL level. He tallied seven points and had a minus-eight rating in 27 games but often found himself to be a healthy scratch for many games. On July 24th Sproul began skating again after having surgery to repair his ACL that he tore in March, but it is unclear whether or not the young defender will be ready for Detroit’s season opener in October. He has the potential to earn a full time spot on the Red Wings this season but will be in tough after the team signed veteran defenseman Trevor Daley and depth defenseman Luke Witkowski, not to mention Nick Jensen looking to have claimed a spot on the team. Although there was deficiencies in his game last season, Sproul is a right handed defenseman with offensive upside, something that all teams covet. In order to be sent down to Grand Rapids this season, the Red Wings would have to run the risk of losing the young defender on waivers. Although he didn’t make much of a fantasy impact last season, Sproul might have the greatest chance of any Detroit prospect of making an impact on the Red Wing’s roster this season and for that reason he is at the top of the Detroit prospects fantasy rankings. With a number of talented defensemen making their way up Detroit’s pipeline, Sproul needs to cement himself as an NHL regular soon or risk being passed on the depth chart. Jameson Ewasiuk

September 2016 – A crucial season developmental wise for the 6-4 rearguard, this may be the make or break year for Sproul, who finds himself heading into Red Wings training camp with a new two-year “show me” contract.  The former second round pick will be in stiff competition with Grand Rapids teammates Xavier Ouellet and Nick Jensen for a spot on the Red Wings blue line this fall and with contract negotiations out of the way, he can focus on showcasing his heavy shot and quick puck moving skills.This is Sproul’s first year of being waiver-eligible, and if sent down at any part of the season it will be unlikely he’ll pass by all 29 teams without any interest. Joseph Highgate

December 2015 – Sproul has still yet to make his mark on the stat sheet at the professional level after putting up pompous offensive numbers which resulted in him being award the top defenceman in all of Canadian Major Junior Hockey. Sproul put up  back-to-back 20 goal seasons his last two years in Junior and notching 11 tallys in his rookie season in Grand Rapids before regressing to a meager five and thus far a disappointing two through 25 games in 2015-16. Grand Rapids has had trouble scoring as a whole, but are currently on an impressive 14 game winning streak which has obviously led to an increase in scoring and a direct result of fantastic team play. Integrating a new coach usually has it’s challenges in the beginning, but it looks like now Sproul and co are buying into Todd Nelson’s style and systems and the wins are starting to pile up. Sproul still sits behind Alexey Marchenko and Xavier Ouellet in the depth chart and the emergence of free agent Robbie Russo may have created another road block. He will need to turn back the clock to his junior days and start impacted the game on a more consistent basis if he wants to lace it up in the NHL soon. Travis Watson

October 2014 – Ryan Sproul has arguably the highest potential of all Red Wings rearguards for fantasy purposes especially, but yet he is the one who is looking on the outside looking in with the likes of Xavier Ouellet and Nick Jensen still battling for an opening day spot. The Wings clearly don’t feel he’s ready for primetime yet and that he needs more seasoning in Grand Rapids to round out his defensive game. He’s still someone to target in keeper leagues as he is the future quarterback of Detroit’s powerplay and will very likely challenge for the scoring lead for defensemen in the AHL this season. Travis Watson

June 2014 – Sproul got off to a blazing start picking up just where he left off with the Greyhounds making the transition from junior to pro look seamless. His six goals, 19 points and plus- 15 rating through his first 33 games heading into the New Year were very impressive but like all good things they eventually come to an end. As from that point on he was only able to muster five goals, eight assists and a minus- 15 throughout his final 39 appearances. Still his 11 goals and 32 points were good enough for second among rookie defensemen and landed him a spot on the 2013-14 AHL All-Rookie Team with fellow teammate Teemu Pulkkinen. Joining Sproul and Pulkkinen were Joni Ortio (G, Abbotsford Heat), Brenden Kichton (D, St. Johns Ice Caps), Curtis McKenzie (F, Texas Stars) and last but not least the offensive dynamo Ryan Strome (F, Bridgeport Sound Tigers). Travis Watson

Just like he did in his first game of the season Ryan Sproul made an big impact in his playoff debut notching the game winner to get the Griffins on the winning track. He had a great series in helping oust the Abbotsford Heat in four games notching two goals and an equal amount of assists. However the well went dry again just like it did in the season an he was only able to contribute one assist before being knocked out in game six by the Texas Stars putting an end to the dream of becoming back-to-back champions for Grand Rapids. With his five points he still currently sits in fourth for rookie defensemen scoring with one of the blueliners ahead of him being the Griffins late season addition, Mattias Backman who joined the team once his season ended in Sweden. Sproul has a bright future ahead of him and needs to keep his head held high and come back next year and be a solid leader from the back end who can produce on both ends on a consistent basis. He has a skill set that the Red Wings desperately need as he is a true powerplay quarterback and his ability to wheel with the puck combined with a lethal shot make for an interesting combination and a player to watch in all leagues once he solidifies a role in Detroit. He will get an opportunity to earn a spot this year but likely another year of seasoning in the AHL awaits. Travis Watson

October 2013 – Last seasons CHL Defenseman of the Year started his 2013 season off with a bang potting home two goals in leading the Grand Rapids attack to an opening night triumph. This is great to see for Sproul after coming off a solid prospect camp where he helped lead the Red Wings to the Traverse City Prospect Tournament championship. Sproul is dynamite from an offensive point of view but also hones a solid all-around game so look for him to post solid numbers for Grand Rapids as they look to repeat as Calder Cup Champions. He has the potential to be amongst the league leaders in points by defensemen this season. Travis Watson

May 2013 – Ryan Sproul was in Saskatoon at the Memorial Cup not to play but to collect the 2013 CHL Post Defenseman of the Year award at the annual CHL Awards Banquet. Sproul had a remarkable season potting home an impressive 20 goals in just 50 games. Finalists for the award were Rimouski’s Kevin Gagne and Spokane’s Brenden Kichton. Previous winners of note include Dougie Hamilton, Kris Russell, Keith Yandle, James Wishniewski, Dan Hamhuis, Brad Stuart and Chris Pronger. Travis Watson

April 2013 – Ryan Sproul is the recipient of the Max Kaminsky Award for the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman of the Year. Former recipients include Al MacInnes, Chris Pronger, Brian Campbell, James Wisniewski, Marc Staal, Drew Doughty and Ryan Ellis making Sproul a member of an elite group of defenders. Brendan Ross

March 2013 – Despite playing just 50 games, Ryan Sproul finished first in OHL defensive scoring with 20 goals and 66 points. Sproul also took home several honours in the annual OHL Western Conference Coaches’ Poll with placements in the following categories: Best Skater (2nd), Best Shot (2nd), Hardest Shot (1st) and Best Offensive Defenseman (1st). Brendan Ross

February 2013 – The Ontario Hockey League named Red Wings’ prospect defenseman Ryan Sproul Player of the Week (ending February 3rd) after posting three goals and three assists for six points in two weekly games. Sproul is just the third defender to earn Player of the Week honours this season and has been absolutely red hot after getting cut from Team Canada’s 2013 Under-20 World Junior team.  The Greyhounds defenseman currently leads all OHL defensemen in goals (17) and points (57), despite only playing in 36 games. Sproul has been held pointless only five times this season and is in the midst of an 8-game point streak totalling four goals and 20 points. Get him on your fantasy radars now! Brendan Ross

December 2012 – Ryan Sproul was one of 12 defensemen invited to take part in Canada’s National Junior Selection camp for the 2013 World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia. Sproul has recently returned from a fractured arm after starting to season as one of the OHL’s top offensive defensemen.  Sproul is considered a wild card to make Canada’s roster but he is one of my personal favourites to add as a depth defenseman with his ability to play both ends of the rink and compete hard. Brendan Ross

June, 2012 – Sproul was one of the few positives for the Soo Greyhounds this past season. The big defensemen was a plus-16 on a team that had an overall plus-minus of minus -45. Sproul is a big offensive defensemen that has great skating ability and can be used on the power play. That’s when his rocket like slap shot comes into play that earned him 23 goals this season. The physical defender is also used on the penalty kill as he can block shots and use his long reach to make offensive opponents have a hard time. He also loves to jump in to the play and makes a great outlet pass. In order to make the next step to the pros, Sproul will have to fill out his huge frame and improve his defensive positioning. Justin Shemie