Player Profile: ECHL All-Star Ryan Huddy

Stockton, CA – Earlier this month, Ryan Huddy was named to the National Conference roster for the 2009 All-Star Game.

The 25 year old Ryan Huddy has been immersed in hockey ever since he was a small child. Huddy calls Edmonton, Alberta home, but adds that his family lived in Los Angeles, California; Buffalo, New York; and back to Edmonton while he was growing up. Ryan is the son of Charlie Huddy, an accomplished NHL player, and was a key member of five Stanley Cup Championship teams with Edmonton. With those genes, Ryan is destined to be an accomplished player. Prior to beginning his professional career, Huddy played juniors just outside of Calgary, and went on to play college hockey at Bemidji State University, in Minnesota. He finished his college career, with a career high of 28 points in 36 games. After college, Huddy went on to play in Germany for two seasons, where he set a career high 60 points in 48 games. “The style of hockey is different in Europe,” Huddy said. “The ice is bigger so there’s more room to skate. It helped to improve my confidence and taught me more about the game. It was a good experience.” In Germany there are only 52 games in a full season, so when you compare that to the 72 games in the ECHL, it’s hard on the body, both physically and mentally. “It’s nice to be able to sit down on my own couch at home and sleep in my own bed”, Huddy said when they finally earned a few days break earlier this month. As a rookie with the Stockton Thunder (ECHL), Huddy ranks fourth in the league with 23 goals, 18 assists (43 points), and is second among rookies. As Ryan prepares to travel to the All-Star game in Reading, Pennsylvania, Huddy is currently on a six game goal-scoring-streak in which he’s scored nine goals and three assists. In early December 2008, Huddy also had a three-game scoreless stint with AHL Springfield Falcons. It helps to have a dad with NHL experience. Huddy said his dad watches his games when he can and calls him occasionally with some pointers. Huddy said their playing styles are very different; his dad was an accomplished defenseman. “My dad played defense with good positioning skills and strength; he was a smart hockey player,” Huddy said. “I have a few of those traits, but I try to score more, and I’m less gritty than he was.” “I am really proud of him,” Huddy’s wife Beth, whom Ryan met while in college, said. Although she played basketball, she ultimately became a dedicated hockey fan. They were married in the summer of 2007. She loves watching him play and enjoys the social interaction with his other teammates, along with their wives and girlfriends. Since his assignment to Stockton, Ryan has experienced the changing of head coaches in mid-season when General Manager Dan Chapman fired their first ever coach, Chris Cichocki, and hired former Fresno Falcon’s Coach Matt Thomas. “He has a lot of energy and it shows through to the guys”, Huddy said of Thomas. “We get excited about playing hockey. He’s good systematically.” Statistically, it’s showing. The Thunder has been undefeated in regulation time since Thomas assumed the coaching role with one overtime loss, followed by seven straight wins. Ryan’s job on the team is “to be good offensively and help the team. I have to be accountable and make sure we’re not getting scored on. Hockey is a fast-paced game; you have to be good at everything you can. You have to do your best, and always keep doing the little things to help the team win.” During the first three months of the season, the Thunder had only nine home games, which meant lots of time on the road. His favorite road trips include Victoria and Ontario. ” Victoria Island is pretty. You can get out and see the ocean.” Huddy added that Idaho is a fun town and likes the atmosphere at the rink, but thinks that playing in Stockton is the greatest. “I’m sure most of the other teams like coming here too. The fan support really makes the players excited to play and it makes the game fun.”Off the ice, Ryan enjoys just relaxing at home with family and friends. When time allows, he enjoys playing golf too. Ryan Huddy isn’t the only member of the Thunder selected for the All-Star game. He’ll be accompanied by fellow teammates, Cory Urquhart and Kenny MacAulay and Head Coach Matt Thomas. Needless to say, Huddy is excited about the opportunity. “It’s a great honor and it’s going to be a lot of fun.” The rest of the season leads to two times as many home than road games, which will keep them rested and in good form. Huddy and his teammates have their hearts set on post-season play. As Huddy continues to improve his game, he’s destined to get another call up to the AHL, and ultimately the NHL. Contact the author at shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at jack.lima@prohockeynews.com