Former Spokane Chief Derek Ryan named Februray Canada West University Hockey - Husky WHL Grad of the Month
March 5, 2009 []
The Canada West Universities Athletic Association and the Western Hockey League are pleased to announce that forward DEREK RYAN of the University of Alberta Golden Bears has been named the Canada West Hockey - HUSKY WHL Graduate of the Month for February 2009.
RYAN, a 22-year-old sophomore centre from Spokane, Washington, becomes the second Golden Bear and the fourth winner, of the award in 2008-09. He joins teammate Chad Klassen, who won the award in January, freshman forward Steven DaSilva of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, who won the award in October, and November’s winner - sophomore goaltender Scott Bowles of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
The 5’10:, 180 pound Physical Education and Recreation student earned the award in a tie breaker with University of Saskatchewan Huskies forward Casey Lee. Both players received 22 points in the balloting conducted by the seven Canada West Hockey coaches (NOTE: A coach cannot vote for the player from his own team.) with RYAN winning the award on a tie breaker with three first place votes to Lee’s two first place votes. It is the second time in the history of the award that a tie breaker was required to determine the monthly winner and the second time this season. University of Lethbridge Pronghorns goaltender won the November 2008 segment of the award over Aaron Sorochan of the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
RYAN becomes the 31st Golden Bear to win the award since it was inaugurated in 1989-90.
Now in its 20th season, the Canada West Hockey’s HUSKY WHL Graduate of the Month Award is presented monthly to a graduate of the Western Hockey League who is playing on one of the seven teams in the Canada West Universities Athletic Association. Each monthly winner, between October and March, receives a cheque for $500.00 from the WHL to go towards the cost of his education and a gift from HUSKY.
Canadian intercollegiate hockey is a quality option for players who wish to combine both hockey and education. A total of 105 WHL grads are members of Canada West Hockey’s seven teams in 2008-09. CIS hockey in general, and Canada West Hockey in particular, has allowed these players to further their hockey careers as well as their education at some of Canada’s finest academic institutions.
The second-year center scored 5-5-10 in six games to help the Golden Bears to a 4-2-0 record in February and a first place finish in the Canada West Hockey standings. He scored points in five of the Golden Bears six games including two multiple point games that saw him score seven points in the month’s first two games.
RYAN scored four goals and three assists for seven points in two games against Lethbridge on February 6th-7th to earn Canada West Hockey Player of the Week honors for the week ending February 8th. In the series opener – a 6-2 Alberta win – he scored twice and assisted on the game-winning goal and then had a part in all four Alberta goals in the series finale 6-4 loss to the Pronghorns.
Playing without seven starters, who were in China with Team Canada at the 24th Annual FISU Winter Universiade, RYAN helped the Golden Bears conclude the season with two victories at Lethbridge on February 20th-21st. He had a powerplay assist in both wins and scored the deciding goal in the 5-4 shootout win over the Pronghorns in the series opener.
His 10 point month helped RYAN finish third in the Canada West Hockey scoring race with 16-19-35 in 25 games and he was among the conference leaders in both goals and assists. His 16 goals were second in Canada West Hockey and his 19 assists ranked third. A key component of the Golden Bears’ conference leading powerplay unit, he scored 6-9-15 on the man advantage to tie with teammate Chad Klassen for the Canada West Hockey lead in that offensive category.
RYAN played three seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Spokane Chiefs from 2003-04 to 2005-06.
Other nominees for the Canada West Hockey - HUSKY WHL Graduate of the Month award for February were forwards Darrell May of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds (Portland Winter Hawks), Brock Nixon of the University of Calgary Dinos (Calgary Hitmen), Dustin Bru of the University of Regina Cougars (Moose Jaw Warriors) and Casey Lee of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies (Kootenay Ice).
“HUSKY, proud sponsor of the WHL Education Program and the Canada West Hockey – WHL Graduate of the Month.”
DEREK RYAN IN FEBRUARY
DATE OPPONENT RESULT G-A-P PEN-PIM NOTES
February 6 vs Lethbridge* W. 6-2 2-1-3 0-0
February 7 vs Lethbridge* L. 4-6 2-2-4 0-0
February 13 vs Manitoba* W. 4-1 1-0-1 0-0
February 14 vs Manitoba* L. 1-2 0-0-0 2-4
February 20 at Lethbridge* W. 5-4 OTS 0-1-1 1-2 Shootout Deciding Goal, PPA
February 21 at Lethbridge* W. 2-1 0-1-1 0-0 PPA
FEBRUARY TOTALS 6 Games 5-5-10 3-6 Shootout Deciding Goal, 2 PPA
* Canada West Hockey conference game
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS
CANADA WEST HOCKEY – WHL GRADUATES OF THE MONTH
ALBERTA (31) NO MONTHS
Kevin Marsh (F) 4 Mar. 00, Mar. 01, Jan. 02
& Mar. 04
Adam Morrison (F) 3 Oct. 89, Mar. 91, Nov. 91
Russ Hewson (F) 3 Nov. 98, Nov. 99, Nov. 00
Mike Jickling (F) 2 Dec. 96, Jan. 98
Clayton Pool (G) 2 Jan. 00, Jan. 01
Steve Shrum (F) 2 Mar. 02, Jan. 03
Ryan Wade (F) 2 Oct. 01,Feb. 04
Garth Premak (F) 1 Mar. 92
Dale Masson (G) 1 Jan. 96
Francesco Esposito (F) 1 Mar. 97
Cam Danyluk (F) 1 Mar. 99
Kris Knoblauch (F) 1 Oct. 00
Jeff Zorn (D) 1 Mar. 03
Dustin Schwartz (G) 1 Nov. 04
Ben Thomson (F) 1 Jan. 06
Dylan Stanley (F) 1 Mar. 06
Eric Hunter (F) 1 Oct. 07
Ian McDonald (F) 1 Mar. 08
Chad Klassen (F) 1 Jan. 09
Derek Ryan (F) 1 Feb. 09
