Ryan Getzlaf facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ryan Getzlaf
Getzlaf with the Anaheim Ducks in April 2016
Born	(1985-05-10) May 10, 1985 (age 40) Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Right
Played for	Anaheim Ducks
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	19th overall, 2003 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Playing career	2005–2022

Ryan Getzlaf (born May 10, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played his entire career in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks. Getzlaf is the Ducks' all-time leading scorer.

He was picked 19th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Ryan played in three NHL All-Star Games. He also helped the Ducks win the Stanley Cup in 2007. Getzlaf was known as a great playmaker and a strong power forward. He holds many Ducks records, including most games played, assists, and points. He also leads in playoff goals, assists, and points. Ryan led the Ducks in assists twelve times. In the 2008–09 season, he set a team record with 66 assists. He led the team in points eight times. After retiring, Getzlaf joined the NHL's Department of Player Safety in 2024.

As a junior player, Getzlaf spent four seasons with the Calgary Hitmen. He was named a Western Hockey League (WHL) all-star twice. Ryan also played for Canada many times. He was part of the 2005 World Junior Championship team. Many people think this was the best Canadian junior team ever. He also won a silver medal at the 2008 IIHF World Championship. Getzlaf is a two-time Olympian. He won gold medals with Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.

Early Life and Family

Ryan Getzlaf was born on May 10, 1985, in Regina, Saskatchewan. His parents are Steve and Susan Getzlaf. He has an older brother named Chris. Ryan went to Robert Usher Collegiate in Regina.

His family loved sports. Both Ryan and Chris were encouraged to play many games. They especially played hockey and football. Chris chose to focus on football. He later played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League. Ryan played tailback in football. He also played baseball as a catcher for Saskatchewan in a national youth tournament. But Ryan decided to focus on his hockey career.

Playing Hockey

Junior Hockey Career

In 2000, Ryan played for the Regina Bantam AAA Rangers. He was drafted by the Calgary Hitmen in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was the 54th pick in the 2000 WHL Bantam Draft. Ryan was 5 feet 9 inches tall when he was drafted. By the time he joined the team at 16, he had grown 6 inches.

Getzlaf started his junior career in 2001–02. He scored 18 points in 63 games. The next season, 2002–03, he greatly improved. He scored 29 goals and 68 points. This made him a top player for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him as the fifth best North American skater. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim picked him 19th overall in the first round.

The Mighty Ducks sent Getzlaf back to the Hitmen for the 2003–04 season. He scored 75 points in just 49 games. He was named to the WHL's first all-star team. Because of the 2004–05 NHL lock-out, Getzlaf played a fourth season in Calgary. He was named team captain. However, he lost the title briefly for arguing with officials. He got it back after a few weeks. Ryan also missed games that season due to a concussion. This happened after a hit from Dion Phaneuf. Getzlaf finished with 54 points in 51 games. After the Hitmen were out of the playoffs, he joined the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League (AHL). This was his first professional experience. He played 10 playoff games for Cincinnati, scoring one goal and four assists.

Anaheim Ducks: A Long Career (2005–2022)

Starting in Anaheim and Winning the Stanley Cup

Getzlaf made the Mighty Ducks team in 2005–06. He played his first NHL game on October 5, 2005. He got his first point on October 14. His first NHL goal came seven days later against the Detroit Red Wings. Ryan had seven points in his first 16 games. But he was sent to the AHL's Portland Pirates in November. This was to get more playing time. He played 17 games for the Pirates, scoring 8 goals and 25 assists. He was named AHL co-rookie of the month for December. Getzlaf was called back to Anaheim in January. He finished the season with 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points in 57 games. In the playoffs, he added three goals and four assists in 16 games.

Getzlaf faces off with future teammate Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks in December 2009.

In his second season, 2006–07, the team was renamed the Anaheim Ducks. Getzlaf played all 82 regular season games. He scored 25 goals, 33 assists, and 58 points. He played in the YoungStars Game at the 2007 NHL All-Star Game. At 22, Getzlaf, Corey Perry (21), and Dustin Penner (24) formed the Ducks' "kid line." This line became a top scoring unit. They helped the Ducks reach the 2007 playoffs. Getzlaf led the Ducks in playoff scoring with 17 points. This was a team record at the time. The Ducks beat the Ottawa Senators in five games to win their first Stanley Cup.

The "kid line" split up before the 2007–08 season. Penner signed with the Edmonton Oilers. Getzlaf chose to stay in Anaheim. He signed a five-year contract extension. He played in his first All-Star Game in 2008. He led the Ducks with 58 assists and 82 points.

Getzlaf tied a Ducks record in the 2008–09 season. He had five assists in a 5–4 win over the Detroit Red Wings. This happened on October 29, 2008. Getzlaf led the Ducks with a team-record 66 assists. His 91 points were the sixth-best in the NHL. Fans voted him to start in his second All-Star Game in 2009. The Ducks beat the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the 2009 playoffs. But they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the second round. Getzlaf set a playoff record with 14 assists in 13 games. He finished with 18 points in the playoffs.

An ankle injury limited Getzlaf to 66 games in 2009–10. He still led the Ducks with 50 assists. He was second on the team with 69 points.

Becoming Captain and Playoff Runs

Getlaf awaiting a faceoff during a game in February 2011

Scott Niedermayer retired after the 2009–10 season. The Ducks named Getzlaf their new team captain before the 2010–11 season. He was 25 years old. On December 28, 2010, he broke bones in his face. This happened when a puck hit him in a game against the Phoenix Coyotes. He played in only 67 games that season. He scored 19 goals and 57 assists for 76 points. His 57 assists ranked fourth in the NHL. He added six points in six playoff games. The Ducks lost in the first round to the Nashville Predators.

Getzlaf with the Ducks in February 2012

Getzlaf played his 500th career game on March 12, 2012. He played all 82 games for the Ducks in 2011–12. He led the team with 46 assists and had 57 points.

He reached another milestone on March 8, 2013. Getzlaf recorded his 500th point with an assist. On the same day, the Ducks signed him to an eight-year contract. He finished the shortened season leading the team in assists (34) and points (49). He also tied for the team lead with 15 goals.

In 2013–14, Getzlaf scored a career-high 31 goals and 56 assists. He finished second in league scoring with 87 points. Only Sidney Crosby had more points. Getzlaf was named to the second All-Star team. He was also a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. He finished second to Crosby for this award. In the 2014 playoffs, Getzlaf blocked a shot with his face. He got cuts and bruises. He played in the second game but missed the next two. He returned for the rest of the playoffs. The Ducks won their first series. But they lost in the second round to the Los Angeles Kings.

In the 2015 playoffs, Getzlaf tied his own record for most assists in a postseason (14). This happened in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The Ducks lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games. Getzlaf was a finalist for the Mark Messier Leadership Award. This award goes to a player who shows great leadership.

In 2017, Getzlaf was again a finalist for the Mark Messier Leadership Award. In the second round of the 2017 playoffs, Getzlaf passed Teemu Selänne's record. He scored his 36th playoff goal against the Edmonton Oilers. This made him the Ducks' all-time playoff goal leader.

Later Career and Retirement

Getzlaf (right) battling with Zdeno Chara for position in front of the net in February 2019

Early in the 2017–18 season, Getzlaf broke his cheekbone. This happened on October 29, 2017, after a puck hit his face. He needed surgery. He returned 19 games later, on December 11. The Ducks made the 2018 playoffs. But they were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round. On April 23, 2018, Getzlaf was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This award is for leadership and community work.

On November 3, 2019, Getzlaf played his 1,000th NHL game.

During the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, Getzlaf got his 700th NHL assist. This happened on March 18, 2021.

On July 28, 2021, Getzlaf signed a one-year contract to stay with the Ducks. On October 31, he scored his 989th career NHL point. This passed Teemu Selänne as the Ducks' all-time leading scorer. On November 16, Getzlaf scored his 1,000th career NHL point. This was an assist on a goal by Cam Fowler.

On April 5, 2022, Getzlaf announced he would retire. His last game was the Ducks' final home game of the season on April 24. Before the game, the Ducks honored Getzlaf. His family and the team owners joined him on the ice. He received gifts, including a golf vacation. Retired Ducks star Selänne drove an off-road vehicle onto the ice for him. In his final game, Getzlaf recorded an assist. After the game, his teammates and the opposing team congratulated him. Getzlaf gave an emotional speech to the crowd. He then took one last lap around the arena. This ended his 17-year career.

Getzlaf finished his career with 282 goals, 737 assists, and 1,018 points in 1,175 games. He leads the Ducks in games played, assists, and points. He also holds the record for most assists in a single season for the Ducks. He is one of only 35 players since 1980 to play their entire career with one NHL team (at least 10 seasons). He is also one of only 11 players to play at least 17 seasons with the same team.

Playing for Canada

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Winter Olympics
Gold	2010 Vancouver
Gold	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Silver	2008 Canada
Canada Cup / World Cup
Gold	2016 Toronto
World Junior Championships
Gold	2005 United States
Silver	2004 Finland
IIHF World U18 Championships
Gold	2003 Russia

Getzlaf first played for Canada at the 2002 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. The next year, he joined the Canadian under-18 team. This was for the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championships. He scored two goals and two assists in seven games. Canada won its first gold medal at the U18 level.

He then played for the national junior team. Getzlaf played in his first World Junior Hockey Championship in 2004. He had six points in six games. Canada made it to the gold medal game against the United States. Canada was leading 3–1. But they lost the lead and the game. Getzlaf and his teammates won the silver medal.

The 2004–05 NHL lock-out meant many NHL players could play in the 2005 World Junior Championship. Getzlaf was one of them. Many people called this Canadian team the greatest in the tournament's history. Getzlaf had 12 points in 6 games. He was second in scoring to teammate Patrice Bergeron. He scored one goal and two assists in the final game against Russia. Canada won the gold medal 6–1. This was their first title in eight years.

Getzlaf attempts a shot against German goaltender Thomas Greiss during the 2010 Winter Olympics

Getzlaf first played for the senior team at the 2008 World Championship. He led the tournament with 11 assists. His 14 points were second overall. Canada reached the final game. But they lost to Russia in overtime. Getzlaf was named to the Canadian team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He had a sprained ankle, but he recovered in time to play. He scored seven points in seven games. This included the winning goal in Canada's semi-final victory over Slovakia. Canada won the gold medal with a 3–2 overtime win against the United States.

Two years later, Getzlaf was Canada's captain at the 2012 World Championship. He had nine points in eight games. But Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinal by Slovakia. Getzlaf was given a major penalty for kneeing Juraj Mikúš. He felt he had let his team down.

Getzlaf returned to the Canadian team for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. His play, along with Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews, was key to Canada winning gold again. Canada beat Sweden 3–0 to win the gold medal.

Playing Style and Leadership

Getzlaf was known as a power forward with amazing passing skills. The Hockey News called him "the complete package." He had a powerful shot and was willing to play physically. However, he sometimes took unnecessary penalties. He also sometimes passed the puck when he could have shot it. Getzlaf was one of the league's best passers. He led the Ducks in assists for ten seasons in a row (2008-2017). He also led the team in points seven times.

With 814 career points by the 2016–17 season, Getzlaf was the second-leading scorer in Ducks history. Only Teemu Selänne had more points. He and winger Corey Perry formed one of the NHL's best scoring duos. They were called the "twins" in Anaheim. They played together since being drafted in 2003. They won the Stanley Cup together in 2007. They also won gold medals at the World Junior Championship and the Olympics. Getzlaf was recognized for his leadership. He was nominated for the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2014 and 2015.

Personal Life and Community Work

Ryan Getzlaf and his wife, Paige, got married in 2010. They have four children. Ryan is very active in the Orange County community. He hosts an annual golf tournament for CureDuchenne. This organization works to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He also has a program with the Calgary Hitmen called "Getzlaf's Gamers." This program helps children who might not otherwise be able to attend games.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International Play

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002	Canada West	U17	7th		6	3	6	9	14
2003	Canada	WJC18			7	2	2	4	10
2004	Canada	WJC			6	3	3	6	4
2005	Canada	WJC			6	3	9	12	8
2008	Canada	WC			9	3	11	14	10
2010	Canada	OG			7	3	4	7	2
2012	Canada	WC	5th		8	2	7	9	27
2014	Canada	OG			6	1	2	3	4
2016	Canada	WCH			5	0	3	3	4
Junior totals					25	11	20	31	36
Senior totals					33	9	27	36	47

Awards and Honours

Records