Michael Ryder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael Ryder |
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Ryder with the New Jersey Devils in April 2014
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| Born | March 31, 1980 Bonavista, Newfoundland, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Right wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Montreal Canadiens Boston Bruins Dallas Stars New Jersey Devils |
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| NHL Draft | 216th overall, 1998 Montreal Canadiens |
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| Playing career | 2000–2015 | ||
Michael Glen Wayne Ryder (born March 31, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a right winger. Michael Ryder spent 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, and New Jersey Devils.
Ryder was a key player for the Boston Bruins when they won the Stanley Cup in 2011. He scored eight goals during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This helped Boston win their first championship since 1972.
Michael Ryder's Hockey Journey
Starting in Junior Hockey
Michael Ryder began his hockey career playing for the Hull Olympiques. This team is part of the QMJHL.
Time with the Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens picked Ryder in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 216th player chosen overall.
On May 30, 2003, Ryder scored a winning goal in a very long game. This game was part of the American Hockey League (AHL) history. His goal came almost 15 minutes into the fourth overtime period. It gave the Hamilton Bulldogs a 2–1 win. This was during Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals.
In the 2003–04 NHL season, Ryder played in the NHL YoungStars Game. This game features the best young players in the league. He was also named the NHL Rookie of the Month for February 2004. He led all new players in points, powerplay points, shots, and goals that season.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Ryder played in Sweden. He joined Leksands IF in the second division of Swedish hockey. After the lockout, he scored 30 goals in two seasons in a row.
On April 7, 2007, Ryder scored a special type of hat-trick. He scored three goals in a row in the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Even with his great effort, the Canadiens lost the game 6–5.
Ryder also helped the Canadiens make a huge comeback on February 19, 2008. They were losing 5–0 to the New York Rangers. Ryder scored two goals and had an assist in a 6–5 win. This was the only time in the team's 99-year history they won after being down 5–0.
Ryder's contract with the Canadiens ended on June 30, 2008. The team did not sign him again. This was partly because his scoring numbers were lower that season.
Winning the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins
On July 1, 2008, Ryder signed a three-year contract with the Boston Bruins. He chose Boston partly because he had played under coach Claude Julien before.
Ryder scored his first goal for the Bruins on October 9, 2008. This was also his 100th career goal in the NHL. He scored 27 goals in his first season with Boston. The Bruins finished first in their conference.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Bruins played Ryder's old team, the Montreal Canadiens. Ryder scored four goals as the Bruins won all four games.
During the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Ryder was a hero against his former team again. He scored the winning goal in overtime of Game 4. In Game 5, he made an amazing glove save. Their goalie, Tim Thomas, was out of position. John Whitesides, a Bruins director, later said, "Without that play right there, there is no Stanley Cup in 2011."
Ryder won his first and only Stanley Cup on June 15, 2011. The Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 in Game 7 of the Finals. Ryder became the second player from Newfoundland and Labrador to win the Stanley Cup. Daniel Cleary was the first in 2008. Alex Newhook joined them in 2022.
Playing for the Dallas Stars
On July 1, 2011, Ryder signed a two-year contract with the Dallas Stars.
In the 2011–12 season, Ryder scored a career-high 35 goals. This happened during a 3-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers on March 28, 2012.
Back to Montreal
During the 2012–13 season, Ryder was traded back to the Montreal Canadiens. He was part of a trade that sent Erik Cole to the Stars.
Time with the New Jersey Devils
On July 5, 2013, Ryder signed a two-year contract with the New Jersey Devils. He changed his jersey number from 73 to 17. This was because the Devils usually did not allow numbers above 40.
Ryder started the 2013–14 season well, scoring 16 goals. However, he scored only 2 goals after January 11, 2014.
On January 16, 2015, Ryder played in his 800th NHL game. The Devils lost 5-1 to the Anaheim Ducks.
Retirement and Legacy
Michael Ryder's career ended in 2015. His 237 goals and 484 total points in the NHL are records for players born in Newfoundland and Labrador. This makes him the most successful hockey player from that province.
On June 10, 2017, Michael Ryder was inducted into Hockey NL's Hall of Fame.
Career Statistics
Regular Season and Playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1996–97 | Bonavista Saints AAA | Midget | 23 | 31 | 17 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | 69 | 34 | 28 | 62 | 41 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 1998–99 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | 69 | 44 | 43 | 87 | 65 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 36 | 39 | ||
| 1999–00 | Hull Olympiques | QMJHL | 63 | 50 | 58 | 108 | 50 | 15 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 28 | ||
| 2000–01 | Tallahassee Tiger Sharks | ECHL | 5 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Quebec Citadelles | AHL | 61 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Mississippi Sea Wolves | ECHL | 20 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Quebec Citadelles | AHL | 50 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2002–03 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 69 | 34 | 33 | 67 | 43 | 23 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 8 | ||
| 2003–04 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 81 | 25 | 38 | 63 | 26 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 2004–05 | Leksands IF | SWE.2 | 32 | 27 | 21 | 48 | 32 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 81 | 30 | 25 | 55 | 40 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 30 | 28 | 58 | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 70 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 74 | 27 | 26 | 53 | 26 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 8 | ||
| 2009–10 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 82 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 35 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 2010–11 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 79 | 18 | 23 | 41 | 26 | 25 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 8 | ||
| 2011–12 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 82 | 35 | 27 | 62 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 19 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 27 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2013–14 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 | 18 | 16 | 34 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 47 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 806 | 237 | 247 | 484 | 353 | 75 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 26 | ||||
International Play
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Canada | WJC |  |
7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | |
| Junior totals | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||||
