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Bobby Ryan
Sport: Hockey
Born: March 17, 1987
Town: Cherry Hill
Bobby Ryan was born Robert Shane Stevenson
on March 17, 1987 in Cherry Hill. He grew up in Collingswood as a boy, but the family had to move cross-country after Bobby’s father assaulted his mother in a domestic dispute. She did not press charges, but fearing the outcome of a trial the family fled to Los Angeles and became the Ryans. The law eventually caught up with Bobby’s dad, and he had to serve jail time.
Transplanted into the Southern California lifestyle, Bobby was interested in several sports, but Disney’s The Mighty Ducks got him focused on hockey. LA has a good youth hockey program and as Bobby grew, he began to show all of the traits one looks for in a hockey prospect, including size, speed and good hands. The Ryans later moved to Michigan, where their son rose to the level of competition and became an outstanding right wing. He played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League and was a lethal scorer during his three years with the Owen Sound Attack.
In 2005, Bobby had the distinction of being drafted second by—who else?—the Anaheim Ducks, right after Sidney Crosby. Playing under the weight of high expectations, Bobby did not develop as fast as many fans wanted, and by 2008–09 some were saying he was a draft-day bust. Bobby finally broke through that season, scoring 31 goals for the Ducks and adding 5 more during the playoffs. Bobby was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie First Team and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy.
In 2010, Bobby was a member of America’s silver-medal Olympic team. The competition came in the middle of his second straight 30-goal campaign. Playing on Anaheim’s #1 line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in 2010–11, Bobby set personal bests with 35 goals and 37 assists. His 71 points were fourth on the team, seventh among right wings, and 21st among all NHL players. The following season, he notched his fourth 30-goal campaign in a row.
During the NHL lockout, Bobby stayed sharp playing for the Mora club in Sweden, joinimg Anze Kopita of the Kings and his brother, Gasper. He also played in a charity game in Atlantic City to raise funds for Hurricane Sandy victims.
When the NHL season resumed, Bobby had 30 points in 46 games. In the summer of 2013, the Ducks traded him to the Ottawa Senators for a first-round pick and two other players. He scored 23 goals despite dealing with a hernia that eventually ended his season in March. It may have been the reason he was passed over for the 2014 US Olympic team. After having the problem repaired, Bobby signed a long-term deal with Ottawa, and was picked for his first All-Star Game in 2015. He assisted on a Steve Stamkos goal in the second period and scored one of his own in the third period to help his team win 17–12.
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