Friday’s Future Wing: Ryan Sproul

Name: Ryan Sproul

Number: No. 48

Height: 6-foot-3

Position: Defense

Shot: Right

Age: 21

Draft: (2011) Second round, No. 55 overall

Ryan Sproul, 21, is a native of Mississauga, Canada. The 6-foot-3 defender has an offensive mind along with a big frame, giving him a special ability to create plays along the blue line.

Sproul was drafted in 2011 by the Detroit Red Wings at No. 55 overall. The team had two second round draft picks in that Draft. They picked up Xavier Ouellet at No. 48 overall and chose Sproul seven selections later.

During his time with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Sproul played in 172 games collecting 57 goals combining for 153 points.

After being named the 2012-2013 CHL Defenseman of the Year, he started playing his first full season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins the following season. In his AHL debut, he had 11 goals and 21 assists making him the second highest scoring defender on the team.

Since being drafted in 2011, Sproul has shown vast improvement in all facets of the game. He has improved tremendously in his defensive skills as well as his skating, making him a lotmuch more versatile along the blue line. Before, his skills were questioned and disarray, now, he has honed the opportunity set before him and is ready to continue his path to the NHL.

In the future, Sproul will look to add to his total of one game with the Detroit Red Wings. He is seeking out his first NHL point and could potentially be a quarterback for the Wings power play unit in 2014-2015.

Regular Season Statistics:

Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

2010-2011: 61 GP, 14 G, 19 A, 33 PTS, minus-15

2011-2012: 61 GP, 23 G, 31 A, 54 PTS, plus-16

2012-2013: 50 GP, 20 G, 46 A, 66 PTS, even rating

Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

2012-2013: 2 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 2 shots, minus-two

Detroit Red Wings (NHL)

2013-2014: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PTS, 3 shots


Austin Goodman is the host of Octopi Hockeytown for Impact Sports.