Besides being an NHL star, Bobby Ryan has a tough go of things in life. Growing up Ryan had a not so friendly home life when it came to his father. I don’t want to go into to much detail, but long story short; his mother relocated him and herself so that he could play in a elite youth hockey league. Eventually playing for the Los Angeles Kings Minor Ice Hockey Team.
The Cherry Hill, New Jersey native (32) played 4 seasons for the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack. During that time, Bobby was drafted 2nd overall in the 2005 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks. Bobby played for the Anaheim Ducks from 2007 to 2014 before he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for Jakub Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen, and a first round pick.
In 2014 Bobby Ryan got paid, signing a 7 year 50 million dollar contract. Assuring he will be a Senator for a long time. With this new contract Bobby has had some flashes of brilliance. For example, the 2017 playoffs where he put up 15 points in 19 games. The Senators were eliminated in a Game 7, loosing to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions in Pittsburgh.
Bobby has played with some impressive characters in his time. Teammates like Matt Duchene, Erik Karlsson, Daniel Alfredsson, Mark Stone, Craig Anderson, Matt Hoffman, and Dion Phaneuf. With such great teammates, and a amazing contract; The Cup has been out of reach for him for quite some time. Bobby was not on the 2007 Stanley Cup team in Anaheim.
In late 2019 Bobby Ryan checked himself into NHL players assistance program. Bobby accepted the fact that he had an alcohol problem and needed help with it. Like most people suffering with a substance, he had been battling it on his own; until he finally accepted that he needed help. He did end up opening up that their is a stigma around asking for help when you are struggling. Ryan has struggled with dealing with his past, and the probably isn’t helping the situation he finds himself in.
But good news, Bobby is back on the ice with the team, and in his second night back, he scored a hat trick.
Needless to say he was a little emotional, and the fans and his teammates gave him an ovation in his return. I’m not crying, you are.
This is why we watch the game, for moments like this. I’m grateful enough to have this platform where I can show people how wonderful moments like this are. Even though most of the NHL teams are in the United States, the NHL is far from the most popular sport down here.
Bobby did meet with TSN after the game to talk more about his game tonight, and how he is feeling.
At just 32, Bobby has plenty of road a head of him here. I’ll leave you with his locker interview post game as we ramp up into a feel good Friday, Bobby Ryan Style.
Congratulations on the Hat Trick and getting back on the ice. We missed you.
-Branded Mitch