Graduated from Niagara University with a HBA in Sports Management, Ryan was the captain of the Niagara Purple Eagles Men's Hockey team with a NCAA DI Scholarship. Previous to his professional hockey career in Germany, he played in the OPJHL Provincial Junior A for the Markham Waxers. Ryan is certified by Hockey Canada with his NCCP Development 1 and GTHL "Speak out" - respect in sport certified coaching. With over 8 years of high-level hockey instruction experience, he is heavily involved in the hockey community as a GTHL AAA coach and OMHA team skill development coach.