Derek Ryan, C
Shoots: R	Height: 5-10	Weight: 170
Born: 1986-12-29	Hometown: Spokane, WA, USA	Drafted:  Undrafted; signed by Carolina Hurricanes in 2015.

Observations:

June 2016 – Appearing in his first NHL game at the age of 29, Ryan’s debut was nothing short of a Cinderella story. After a journey that took him from the University of Alberta, to multiple European leagues, to the AHL, and ultimately to the NHL, Ryan scored on his first shot on goal in a 3-1 Canes win in New Jersey.

 

Ryan has signed a two-way contract for 2016-17s eason; expect him to split time between the AHL and NHL. He has proven he has the offensive ability to chip in when he is called into the Canes lineup.  Kevin LeBlanc

June 2015 – Ryan signed a one year two way deal with the Carolina Hurricanes after spending the past year in the top Swedish league where he put up 15 goals and 60 points in 55 games. Ryan is undersized at 5’10” and really needs to bulk up at 170 pounds but his story to the NHL has been a long one starting in the WHL than moving onto the Golden Gophers. Not many Canadian University players make it to the top league in the world, Ryan then played in Austria for three seasons putting up over 1.26 points per game. This past year, his first in the Swedish Hockey League, Ryan was named most valuable player and the forward of the year. In terms of style of play Derek Ryan is best described as a playmaking center that while undersized doesn’t play with the pace expected of small players in today’s NHL. Benjamin Gallant

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Fantasy Outlook: D+

Ryan is unlikely to be a big point producer at the NHL level after signing a two way deal but Ryan could click in Carolina and put up decent numbers.

Footage:

Derek Ryan shootout goal, starts at 0:40:

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