#55 Kenny Ryan – The Hockey Spy’s 2009 NHL Entry Draft Rankings

Christopher Ralph is a hockey writer with a focus on prospects and the entry draft, as well as the Leafs’ correspondent here at THW.

“Full Potential” Prospect Profile:

Ryan In The Mold Of: Jere Lehtinen? {MollyMCI - Flickr}

Please “Click Here” for “Notes Up Front” and the “Legend” for various topics covered below, as well as a running live updated NHL 2009 Draft rankings.

55. Kenny Ryan

• Position: RW
• Shoots: Right
• Height: 6-0
• Weight: 204 lbs
• Birthdate: 1991-07-10
• Hometown: Franklin Village, Michigan

One-Timer: His childhood hockey idol was Darren McCarty because “he played with so much energy and grit”, which tells you something about Ryan’s work ethic. NHL Central Scouting’s Gary Eggleston stated “Ryan is a solid skater who is strong on his skates, has good balance and his hard to knock off his feet. Has good overall speed and works hard in all zones. He is strong in the corners, is aware of defensive responsibilities and backchecks well. Ryan plays a rugged two-way game.” Ryan has good anticipation of how the play will develop. He is definitely more of a shooter than playmaker.

NHL Player(s) Comparison: Jere Lehtinen

Bio/Interview Links:

5 Questions with Kenny Ryan:  http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=426207

http://www.freep.com/article/20090622/SPORTS14/906220316/

Scouting Combine Performance:

THN’s Ryan Kennedy stated: “With the benefit of USA Hockey’s weight training, the NTDP kids did big things at the combine and Ryan was in the mix in several different categories. The Boston College commit had a great year in Ann Arbor, too, putting up 41 points in 53 games.”

Gare Joyce noted Ryan was one of only seven who received the high grade for both upper and lower body development.

International Tournaments: Ryan had 4 goals and 1 assist in 7 games for Team USA at the WJC-U18 in their gold medal winning performance.

ETA = 3 years

Risk-Reward Analysis: Risk = 3/5   Reward = 4/5

NHL Potential: 2^nd or 3^rd line 2-way forward

Fantasy Hockey Potential: Offensive = 7.5/10   Defensive = 7.5/10

Other Rankings:

• ISS:  59
• CSB: 56-NA
• TSN:  Honourable Mention
• THN: 66

Video Links:

This document is the intellectual property of Christopher Ralph and cannot be used or duplicated in anyway without expressed written consent. Any use of this document without the expressed written consent of Christopher Ralph will result in public exposure and legal prosecution.

Christopher Ralph, aka "The Hockey Spy", is a freelance hockey writer from Calgary via Newfoundland. His own blog at The Hockey Spy covers hockey in general with a focus on prospects and the NHL Entry Draft. He also covers the Chicago Blackhawks Paint It Blackhawks. Click here for more of his THW articles, focusing on the Calgary Flames, prospects and the draft. "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be." - Wayne Gretzky

Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
The Hockey Spy`s Mock Draft Round 2
The Hockey Spy’s 2009 NHL Entry Draft Preview
The Hockey Spy`s Mock Draft Round 1
#32 Drew Shore – The Hockey Spy’s 2009 NHL Entry Draft Rankings
NHL 2009 Entry Draft Aftermath: Comparing The Draft Ranking Services Take 2
#39 Ryan O’Reilly – The Hockey Spy’s 2009 NHL Entry Draft Rankings

We hope you enjoyed this post. As always, leaving a comment below is both appreciated and encouraged. Thanks!