Ryan Callahan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ryan Callahan
Callahan with the Tampa Bay Lightning in December 2014
Born	(1985-03-21) March 21, 1985 (age 40) Rochester, New York, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	New York Rangers Tampa Bay Lightning
National team	United States
NHL Draft	127th overall, 2004 New York Rangers
Playing career	2006–2019

Ryan Callahan (born March 21, 1985) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played as a right winger for 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for two teams: the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Today, Ryan works as a TV analyst for hockey games on NHL on ESPN/ABC. He was also the captain of the Rangers from 2011 until he was traded in 2014. Ryan also played for the United States in the Olympic Games and other international competitions.

Playing Career

Early Hockey Days

Ryan Callahan started playing ice hockey in high school. He then joined junior teams like the Rochester Junior Americans. Later, he played for the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for four years. He even played alongside his future teammate, Dan Girardi, there.

After his junior career, Ryan played professionally for the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League (AHL). On November 16, 2022, the Guelph Storm announced they would retire his jersey number. This is a special honor for players who have made a big impact.

Time with the New York Rangers

Ryan first joined the New York Rangers in the NHL on November 28, 2006. He played one game, then went back to the AHL. He was called up a few more times. On March 17, 2007, he scored his first two NHL goals against the Boston Bruins. He also scored his first two playoff goals that year.

Callahan as an alternate captain for the New York Rangers in February 2011.

The 2008–09 season was a big one for Ryan. He scored the winning goal for the Rangers in the Victoria Cup with only 20 seconds left! He finished the regular season with 22 goals and 40 points. He also won the Rangers' Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award for his hard work.

On October 2, 2009, Ryan was named an alternate captain for the Rangers. This means he helped lead the team. He suffered a broken hand in December 2010 after blocking a shot.

On March 6, 2011, Ryan had an amazing game against the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored four goals and had one assist, which is called a "hat-trick" when you score three goals. Later that season, he broke his ankle while blocking another shot.

Callahan as captain of the Rangers in December 2011.

On September 12, 2011, Ryan Callahan became the 26th captain in the history of the New York Rangers. He was one of the youngest captains for the team and the first from New York State. In February 2012, he scored his second hat-trick, again against the Flyers.

He scored his 100th NHL goal on February 25, 2012, in overtime against the Buffalo Sabres. In the 2012 playoffs, he led the Rangers to the Conference Final, which they hadn't reached since 1997.

Moving to the Tampa Bay Lightning

On March 5, 2014, Ryan was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. This was a big trade where the Lightning's captain, Martin St. Louis, went to the Rangers. Ryan then signed a six-year contract to stay with the Lightning.

In the 2015 playoffs, Ryan had an emergency appendectomy (surgery to remove his appendix). But just five days later, he returned to play in the Eastern Conference Final against his old team, the New York Rangers! The Lightning won that series and made it to the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals, but they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks.

On October 7, 2015, Ryan was named a permanent alternate captain for the Lightning.

Ryan faced more injuries during his time with the Lightning. In June 2016, he had surgery on his right hip. This injury kept him out of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He had another hip procedure in February 2017 to fix discomfort.

He returned to play in the 2017–18 season. He played 67 games that season. In the 2018–19 season, he played 52 games. The Lightning had a great regular season but were surprisingly swept in the first round of the 2019 playoffs.

On June 20, 2019, it was announced that Ryan had a back condition called degenerative disc disease. This meant he could no longer play professional hockey. His contract was traded to the Ottawa Senators, and he officially announced his retirement on December 30, 2020.

International Play

Callahan (with puck) and Joe Pavelski move up ice against Canada during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Silver	2010 Vancouver	Tournament

Ryan Callahan was chosen to play for Team USA in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. His team won a silver medal after losing to Canada in the final game.

He also played for the United States in the 2014 Winter Olympics. However, the team did not win a medal that year.

Ryan was also selected for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey roster. Unfortunately, he had to miss the tournament due to his hip injury.

Personal Life

Ryan Callahan looked up to hockey player Brendan Shanahan when he was growing up.

On September 16, 2016, the Ryan Callahan Foundation was launched. This foundation helps families who are battling pediatric cancer (cancer in children). The foundation has different programs:

• Cally's Crew: This program gives patients and their families a chance to attend a Tampa Bay Lightning home game in a special suite.
• The "2-4" Club: This program is like a "Make-a-Wish" style program. It provides families with all-expenses-paid trips or experiences to help them escape cancer treatments for a while.
• Direct Funding: The foundation also raises money and awareness for other charities working to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

Ryan Callahan has both Italian and Irish family roots.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2005	United States	WJC	4th		7	1	2	3	29
2010	United States	OG			6	0	1	1	2
2014	United States	OG	4th		6	0	1	1	0
Junior totals					7	1	2	3	29
Senior totals					12	0	2	2	2

Awards and Honors

Transactions

• June 27, 2004 – Drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 127th overall.
• July 27, 2011 – Signed a three-year, $12.825 million contract with the New York Rangers.
• March 5, 2014 – Traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Martin St. Louis, a first-round pick (2015) and a conditional second-round pick (2014).
• June 25, 2014 – Signed a six-year, $34.8 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

See also

In Spanish: Ryan Callahan para niños