#49 The Many Roads to the NHL with Derek Ryan

In this episode, host Zack Nowak sits down with former NHLer Derek Ryan, whose remarkable career stands as one of hockey’s greatest examples of perseverance, adaptability, and late-bloomer success. From growing up in Spokane to Canadian university hockey, to Austria and Sweden, to finally earning a full-time NHL role at age 29, Derek shares how every stop along the way shaped him into the trusted, reliable 200-foot player he became.

Derek discusses the challenges of being overlooked, learning to reinvent himself at every level, and embracing the mindset required to keep climbing when most players stop. He reflects on the offensive freedom he found in Europe, the defensive discipline he learned in Sweden, the grind of the AHL, and the humility it took to grow, change his game, and prove he belonged in the NHL.

Listeners also get insight into Derek’s evolution into a top faceoff specialist, the importance of multi-sport development, and how his experiences now shape him as a youth coach—helping players avoid the trap of being “one type” of athlete.

Derek’s story is a powerful reminder that there is no single path to elite performance and that embracing discomfort, challenge, and growth can unlock opportunities far beyond what many players imagine.

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