Ryan Hofer

June 2025 – Playing a majority of his time in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays, Hofer did one thing really well and that was put up 100 penalty minutes in 52 games. He also posted 26 points but he seems to have found the way he has to play to have an NHL chance. Hofer played in five AHL games registering no points and taking just a couple penalties. It is pretty clear that Hofer is carving out a role as a bottom-line/bottom-six player, but he will really need to work hard if he plans to make it to the NHL that way. Hofer may eventually be useful in multi-cat/banger cap leagues. Pat Quinn

September 2024 – Hofer played in 40 games for the Bears in 2023-24 registering eight points in 40 games. He did not play a single playoff game though. Hofer will fight for a spot on the Bears again, but this roster is just as full as least years’, so he may find himself bouncing between the ECHL and AHL. Pat Quinn

March 2024 – Hofer has played in 30 of 57 games for the Hershey Bears this season to date. He has just four points as he is usually saddled to the bottom line. The rostering makes it tough to stand out, but he is not helping his cause much either as he rarely stands out when he plays. Hofer will need to bring in some of that Junior scoring ability if he ever hopes to stand out enough for the Capitals to call him up, as the team has enough bottom line players. It usually takes Hofer an adjustment period to get comfortable, so expect next season to be better. Pat Quinn

October 2023 – Hofer will have his work cut out for him this season as he will battle for a roster spot on an incredibly full Hershey Bears squad. If he does not give his all throughout the AHL training camp he will find himself starting in the ECHL. Playing for the Sting Rays may not be the worst for Hofer who, while playing well in the WHL, never really stood out production-wise but was always improving. It will be a while before he has a chance to make the NHL, but the Capitals will need to rebuild in a few seasons and that may give him a roster shot. Pat Quinn

March 2023 – It is not often you see a sixth round selection signed to an ELC the year they were drafted but the Capitals signed Hofer to that deal recently. He was a overage selection in 2022, so the deal is to bring him to the AHL/ECHL next season. Hofer has been a good scorer and a high-volume shooter in his second full WHL season with 58 points in 53 games. He also could be a good multi-cat player as he has penalty minutes of 84 and 94 in his two WHL seasons. It is a bit of a stretch to think he would be a top six forward in the NHL, but he could max out as a middle-six player who loves to hit, shoot and rack up the PIMs. Pat Quinn