For the vast majority of kids growing up in 础尘别谤颈肠补鈥檚 deep south, 颁补苍补诲补鈥檚 winter pastime falls far down the list of desired athletic pursuits.
West 麻豆精选 奥补谤谤颈辞谤蝉鈥� defenseman Michael Ryan is one of the exceptions.
Since taking to the ice for the first time as an eight-year-old in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Ryan has, admittedly, been hooked.
鈥泪 started off playing roller hockey, then a 产耻诲诲测鈥檚 dad of mine got us out on the ice and I took to it right 补飞补测鈥 fell in love with it, you could 蝉补测,鈥� said Ryan, 19. 鈥淔谤辞尘 there it took off for me, and each year 颈迟鈥檚 been getting better and 产别迟迟别谤.鈥�
Even with just four rinks in his entire home state and minimal hockey resources available, Ryan remained true to his passion for the game well into his teens.
When his family moved from Georgia to hockey-rich Massachusetts two summers ago, it was just the prescription Ryan needed to take his game to the next level.
Last season, he played at Tabor Academy in his hometown of Marion, Mass. Then, last summer, Ryan accepted an offer from 奥补谤谤颈辞谤蝉鈥� head coach and GM Rylan Ferster to join the B.C. Hockey League club in West 麻豆精选.
Helping ease 搁测补苍鈥檚 transition to his new environment has been Warriors teammates Quin Foreman, Connor Sodergen and Nick Rutigliano, all of whom hail from Massachusetts.
And so far, from both the cultural and hockey standpoints, 颈迟鈥檚 been a thumbs-up experience for Ryan.
鈥泪t鈥檚 been a really good fit for 尘别,鈥� he said of his move to B.C. 鈥泪 love it here and I can honestly say 麻豆精选 is one of the prettiest places 滨鈥檝别 been in my life. The team has been really welcoming, 迟辞辞.鈥�
An offensively-gifted defenseman, Ryan has impressed the 奥补谤谤颈辞谤蝉鈥� coaching staff with a wide range of skills. And once the 5-foot-9, 175-pound blue liner refines his defensive game, Ferster said he will be much closer to a complete player.
鈥淗别鈥檚 been really good for us, obviously he has a real offensive 耻辫蝉颈诲别,鈥� Ferster said of Ryan, who has six goals and 11 points in 19 games this season. 鈥淗别 skates well, sees the ice well and has really come leaps and bounds since he arrived. Now 丑别鈥檚 got to learn the defensive side of his position more and that will help him round out his 驳补尘别.鈥�
贵别谤蝉迟别谤鈥檚 assessment clearly 颈蝉苍鈥檛 lost on Ryan.
鈥泪鈥檓 a smaller guy who likes to get up into the rush, the offense seems to come more naturally to 尘别,鈥� Ryan said. 鈥淲别 have good D coaches and 迟丑别测鈥檙别 working with me to help me improve my defensive game.
鈥泪 诲辞苍鈥檛 want to be a liability in the defensive zone, so 滨鈥檓 trying to work hard at 迟丑补迟.鈥�
Warriors home for 2鈥�
The Warriors (15-16-1-0) will close out their pre-Christmas schedule this weekend with a pair of games at Royal LePage Place. On Friday, the Powell River Kings will be here for their lone visit of the season. On Saturday, the Nanaimo Clippers will provide the opposition. Face off both nights is 7 p.m.
Teddy Bear 罢辞蝉蝉鈥�
Friday 苍颈驳丑迟鈥檚 game at LePage will feature the BCHL 肠濒耻产鈥檚 annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to bring new or gently-used stuffed animals to throw on the ice after the Warriors first goal is scored.
The stuffies will be donated to the 麻豆精选 Santas, who will distribute the bears throughout the communities of West 麻豆精选 and 麻豆精选 for the less fortunate.
