Mike Van Ryn

Professional ice hockey player Mike Van Ryn plays for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Mike Theodore Van Ryn
2. Born: May 14, 1979
3. Birthplace: London, Ontario, Canada
4. Height: 6' 1"
5. Weight: 198 lbs.
6. Position: Defenseman
7. Shoots: Right
8. College: University of Michigan
9. Draft year: 1998
10. Describes himself as more of a "defensive-style defenseman than offensive"¹
11. Nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2007 for leadership on and off the ice and community involvement²

NHL Career

Van Ryn was drafted 26th overall in the 1998 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He attended and played for the University of Michigan for one season before joining the Sarnia Sting in the Ontario Hockey League in 1999. On June 30, 2000, Van Ryn signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues and made his NHL debut that same year. After recovering from a shoulder injury, he split his time between the Blues and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Worcester IceCats starting in 2000. Van Ryn was traded to the Florida Panthers on March 11, 2003. He earned a full roster spot with the Panthers and in 2006 signed a four-year contract with the team. Van Ryn was limited to only 20 games with the Panthers in the 2007-08 season after season ending wrist surgery.

Timeline

• 1997-99: Michigan Wolverines
• 1998: Drafted by the New Jersey Devils
• 1999-00: Sarnia Sting, OHL
• 2000-03: St. Louis Blues
• 2000-03: Worcester IceCats, AHL
• 2003-present: Florida Panthers

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