Ryan Kesler
Ryan James Kesler ( born August 31, 1984 in Livonia, Michigan ) is an American professional ice hockey player. He currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League on the position of the center. He is known as a versatile player and was nominated in 2009 for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is awarded annually to the striker with the best defensive behavior.
- 2.1 International
- 3.1 International
Career
In June 2000, Kesler was drafted by the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League in the fifth round at 89th overall position, but he decided not to go to Canada, but he played two seasons for the U.S. National Team Development Program based on near his home. In 131 games, he was able to achieve 99 points.
Then, the forward played one season for the University team of Ohio State University, the Buckeyes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, in which he was called promptly in the All-Star selection.
NHL Entry Draft 2003 Kesler was pulled in the first round at a total of 23 position of the Vancouver Canucks. Just two months after he was drafted, he signed a three-year contract, which he - in addition to a $ 850,000 signature bonus - should bring around 825,000 U.S. dollars annually. His professional career began Ryan Kesler at the Manitoba Moose, the farm team of the Canucks from the American Hockey League. His first game in the NHL denied Kesler on 24 November 2003 in a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. All season he alternated between farm team and NHL squad, so he came at the end of the season on 28 NHL and 33 AHL games. Due to the lockout in the 2004/ 05 NHL season he completed the entire season in Manitoba, where he was able to achieve 30 goals and 57 points in 78 games. He was also nominated for the AHL All- Star Classic in 2005 and elected Most Valuable Player of the Manitoba Moose.
After the 2005/ 06 season, Kesler became a restricted free agent, and in September 2009 he signed a so-called " Offer sheet" of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Canucks had then a week's time to catch up with the competitors offer and to leave to extend the player's contract on the same terms or pull the player. As compensation they would receive a draft pick for the second round of the NHL Entry Draft in 2007 by the Flyers. Two days after the offer from Philadelphia Kesler signed a one-year contract worth 1.9 million U.S. dollars with the Canucks.
After 48 games in the season 2006/ 07 Kesler suffered a hip injury that put him for the rest of the regular season out of action. His comeback he celebrated only in the playoffs that season against the Dallas Stars, but he injured his finger while trying to block a shot. The attacker had to have an operation and expose the rest of the season. Despite these violations Vancouver extended its contract with the Native Americans again. In May 2007 he signed a three-year contract worth 5.25 million U.S. dollars.
His expiring contract was extended for six years before the start of the 2010/11 season. The Vancouver Canucks won this season as point- best team in the preliminary round, the Presidents' Trophy. In the following play-offs, the Canucks played up in the Stanley Cup finals, where they lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins.
Internationally
Ryan Kesler took for the U.S. national team at the U18 World Youth Championship in 2002, the U20 Junior World Championships in 2003 and 2004 and the 2006 World Cup in part.
Awards and achievements
- 2003 CCHA All- Rookie Team
- 2005 AHL All- Star Classic
- 2011 NHL All-Star Game
- 2011 Frank J. Selke Trophy
Internationally
- 2002 Gold medal at the U18 World Youth Championship
- 2002 Most Valuable Player of the U18 World Youth Championship
- 2004 Gold medal at the U20 World Junior Championships
- 2010 Silver medal at the Olympic Winter Games
Career Stats
Internationally
( Key to Career statistics: Sp or GP = Games Played, T or G = goals scored, V or A = achieved assists; Pts or Pts = scored points scorer, SM or PIM = received penalty minutes, / - = Plus / Minus balance sheet; PP = scored majority gates; SH = scored shorthanded goals, GW = achieved victory gates; Play-downs/Relegation 1 )