Ryan Whitney
Encyclopedia
Ryan Whitney is an American professional ice hockey
defenseman
and alternate captain
currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers
of the National Hockey League
(NHL).
After playing with his high school team from Thayer Academy
and the USA National Development Program
, Whitney joined the college ranks with Boston University
in 2001. Upon completing his freshman year, he was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins
fifth overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft
. Following parts of three seasons with the Penguins minor league affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
, Whitney played his NHL rookie season in 2005–06. Whitney remained in Pittsburgh for three-and-a-half seasons, helping the club to the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals
. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2010 after a brief stint with the Anaheim Ducks
.
Whitney has competed internationally for the United States. He won a silver medal with the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics
in Vancouver
.
, a college-prep school
in Braintree, Massachusetts
in 1998, and logged significant playing time with their hockey team. Head coach
Jack Foley often paired Whitney, a freshman, with senior Brooks Orpik
, his future Pittsburgh Penguins
teammate. Whitney's size and skill drew the attention of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program
. After initially resisting the programs invitations, he left Thayer for the program, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan
, for his senior year of high school.
After graduating from high school, Whitney accepted a full scholarship to play for Boston University
under Jack Parker. In his freshman year, he recorded 21 points in 35 games and was named to the 2002 Hockey East
All-Rookie Team. He was then selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins, as the fifth overall pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft
. Upon completing his third year with Boston, he opted to forego his senior year of college eligibility to turn professional. He was subsequently assigned by Pittsburgh to their American Hockey League
(AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
, for the 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs
. He played in 20 games, recording 10 points, however, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was defeated by the Milwaukee Admirals
in the finals.
Following his professional debut in the AHL playoffs, Whitney joined Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the 2004–05 season
. Under head coach Michel Therrien
, Whitney played in 80 games in 2004–05, recording 41 points and 101 penalty minutes.
Whitney made his NHL debut with Pittsburgh in the 2005–06 NHL season, playing in 68 games. He was called up on October 31, 2005, to replace injured defenseman Dick Tärnström
and remained on the team until the season ended. His first NHL goal came on December 1, against Henrik Lundqvist
of the New York Rangers
. He finished the season with 6 goals and 32 assists.
In his second NHL season, Whitney emerged as a top offensive defenseman in the league with 59 points in 2006–07. Under the guidance of new general manager, Ray Shero
, the Penguins improved from a last-place finish in the Eastern Conference
the year before, to a playoff berth, with Whitney part of the youth movement in Pittsburgh that included forwards Sidney Crosby
, Evgeni Malkin
, Jordan Staal
and goaltender Marc-André Fleury
.
During the 2007 off-season, Whitney signed a six-year, $24 million contract with a no-trade clause, avoiding his pending restricted free agency. His offensive production dropped in the subsequent 2007–08 season, posting 40 points in 76 games. However, the Penguins finished second in the Eastern Conference and Whitney contributed six points in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
, as Pittsburgh made it to the Finals
against the Detroit Red Wings
. Pittsburgh was defeated in game six of the series on June 4, 2008.
In the 2008 off-season, it was revealed that Whitney had been suffering from a chronic foot injury throughout the season. It was later discovered that Whitney was born with abnormally high arches (hollow foot) in both of his feet. After an attempt using orthopedic inserts in his skates failed, Whitney underwent osteotomy
, a surgical procedure to realign the bones in his left foot, on August 15, 2008. It was expected that Whitney would miss five months of the 2008–09 season
. After playing one game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, as part of a conditioning stint, Whitney made his return to Pittsburgh, in a 2–0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning
, on December 23, 2008.
, in exchange for Chris Kunitz
and Eric Tangradi
. He scored one goal and five assists during the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs
, as the Ducks made it to game seven of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, losing to the Detroit Red Wings.
, in exchange for defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky
. The deal marked the second time that Whitney had been traded within a year, even though he has a no-trade clause in his contract.
Whitney made his Oilers debut at Rexall Place
on March 5, against the Minnesota Wild
. His first goal for his new team would come later in the month, as the Oilers defeated the Detroit Red Wings on March 19. Whitney flourished in his new surroundings, as he finished the 2009–10 season
in Edmonton with 11 points from 19 games, one of those goals coming against former team, Anaheim. He also tied with injured winger
, Ales Hemsky
, as the Oilers team leader for plus/minus totals, with +7.
Whitney underwent a second osteotomy in May 2010, this time to realign the bones in his right foot.
On December 28, 2010, in a game against the Buffalo Sabres
, Whitney suffered from a right ankle injury. It was later announced that Whitney would miss the remainder of the 2010–11 season
, needing surgery.
at the 2000 World U-17 Hockey Challenge
. He played six games, and scored his first international goal. The United States finished the tournament in fourth place.
A year later, he would play in the 2001 IIHF U18 Championships
. Whitney picked up a single assist, in six games, as the United States finished in sixth place.
The next year, he moved onto the United States' U20 team at the 2002 World Juniors
. It was here Whitney picked up his first international goal. He posted 3 points (one goals and two assists) in seven games, as the United States finished in fifth place.
He would also play the following year in the 2003 World Juniors
. Whitney posted better numbers than the year previous, picking up 5 points (one goal and four assists) in seven games, as the United States finished in fourth place.
With injuries to fellow defensemen Paul Martin and Mike Komisarek
, Whitney was selected as a replacement to represent the United States in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games
, held in Vancouver
, British Columbia. This marked Whitney's first time as an Olympic competitor. He and his team were runners-up and won the Silver Medal. It was Whitney's former teammate, Sidney Crosby, who scored the game-winning goal, which saw Canada defeat the United States 3–2, in overtime. Whitney played in all six games, not collecting any points.
During this time, Whitney also wrote a blog throughout the games, sharing his thoughts, feelings and experiences.
, as a defenseman.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenseman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
and alternate captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL).
After playing with his high school team from Thayer Academy
Thayer Academy
Thayer Academy is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory day school located in Braintree, Massachusetts. The academy, conceived in 1871 at the bequest of General Sylvanus Thayer, the father of the United States Military Academy, was founded in 1877...
and the USA National Development Program
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
, Whitney joined the college ranks with Boston University
Boston University men's ice hockey
The Boston University Terriers men’s ice hockey program is one of the most storied teams in NCAA Division I hockey, playing its first ever game in 1918 and winning five national championships, while making twenty-one appearances in the Frozen Four....
in 2001. Upon completing his freshman year, he was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
fifth overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft
2002 NHL Entry Draft
The 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22–23 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. 291 players were drafted in total: 35 from the OHL; 23 from the QMJHL; 43 from the WHL; 41 from the NCAA; 6 from U.S high schools and 110 from outside North America....
. Following parts of three seasons with the Penguins minor league affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
, Whitney played his NHL rookie season in 2005–06. Whitney remained in Pittsburgh for three-and-a-half seasons, helping the club to the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals
2008 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2008 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2007–08 season. As a culmination of the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings defeated the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh...
. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2010 after a brief stint with the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Whitney has competed internationally for the United States. He won a silver medal with the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics - Men's tournament
The men's tournament in ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from 16 to 28 February 2010. Games were hosted at two venues – Canada Hockey Place and UBC Thunderbird Arena...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
.
Early years
Whitney enrolled at Thayer AcademyThayer Academy
Thayer Academy is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory day school located in Braintree, Massachusetts. The academy, conceived in 1871 at the bequest of General Sylvanus Thayer, the father of the United States Military Academy, was founded in 1877...
, a college-prep school
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
in Braintree, Massachusetts
Braintree, Massachusetts
The Town of Braintree is a suburban city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Although officially known as a town, Braintree adopted a municipal charter, effective 2008, with a mayor-council form of government and is considered a city under Massachusetts law. The population was 35,744...
in 1998, and logged significant playing time with their hockey team. Head coach
Coach (ice hockey)
Coach in ice hockey is the person responsible for directing the team during games and practices, prepares strategy and decides which players will participate in games....
Jack Foley often paired Whitney, a freshman, with senior Brooks Orpik
Brooks Orpik
Brooks Orpik is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, an alternate captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . His brother, Andrew, was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres organization and is also currently in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization...
, his future Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
teammate. Whitney's size and skill drew the attention of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program
USA Hockey National Team Development Program
The National Team Development Program was started in 1996 by USA Hockey as a way to identify elite ice hockey players in the country under the age of 18, and centralize their training. There are two teams in the program, an Under-17 squad and an Under-18 squad. The teams are both based in Ann...
. After initially resisting the programs invitations, he left Thayer for the program, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
, for his senior year of high school.
After graduating from high school, Whitney accepted a full scholarship to play for Boston University
Boston University men's ice hockey
The Boston University Terriers men’s ice hockey program is one of the most storied teams in NCAA Division I hockey, playing its first ever game in 1918 and winning five national championships, while making twenty-one appearances in the Frozen Four....
under Jack Parker. In his freshman year, he recorded 21 points in 35 games and was named to the 2002 Hockey East
Hockey East
Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
All-Rookie Team. He was then selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins, as the fifth overall pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft
2002 NHL Entry Draft
The 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22–23 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. 291 players were drafted in total: 35 from the OHL; 23 from the QMJHL; 43 from the WHL; 41 from the NCAA; 6 from U.S high schools and 110 from outside North America....
. Upon completing his third year with Boston, he opted to forego his senior year of college eligibility to turn professional. He was subsequently assigned by Pittsburgh to their American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
, for the 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs
2004 Calder Cup Playoffs
The 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 14, 2004. Twenty teams, the top five from each division, qualified for the playoffs. The fourth- and fifth-placed teams in each division played best-of-3 series in the qualifying round...
. He played in 20 games, recording 10 points, however, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was defeated by the Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
in the finals.
Following his professional debut in the AHL playoffs, Whitney joined Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the 2004–05 season
2004–05 AHL season
The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
. Under head coach Michel Therrien
Michel Therrien
Michel Therrien is a hockey scout for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League. Prior to that he was a player and head coach for the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Therrien coached the Canadiens for three seasons, taking them to the Eastern Conference semi-finals in the...
, Whitney played in 80 games in 2004–05, recording 41 points and 101 penalty minutes.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Dick Tärnström
Dick Tärnström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing in AIK of the Elitserien.-Playing career:Tärnström started his professional career in AIK...
and remained on the team until the season ended. His first NHL goal came on December 1, against Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in his first three seasons in the NHL, finishing third all three times, and is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in...
of the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
. He finished the season with 6 goals and 32 assists.
In his second NHL season, Whitney emerged as a top offensive defenseman in the league with 59 points in 2006–07. Under the guidance of new general manager, Ray Shero
Ray Shero
Rejean "Ray" Shero is the current general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was hired on May 25, 2006, replacing Craig Patrick. He is the son of former Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers coach Fred Shero....
, the Penguins improved from a last-place finish in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
the year before, to a playoff berth, with Whitney part of the youth movement in Pittsburgh that included forwards Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
, Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
, Jordan Staal
Jordan Staal
Jordan Lee Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...
and goaltender Marc-André Fleury
Marc-Andre Fleury
Marc-André Fleury is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...
.
During the 2007 off-season, Whitney signed a six-year, $24 million contract with a no-trade clause, avoiding his pending restricted free agency. His offensive production dropped in the subsequent 2007–08 season, posting 40 points in 76 games. However, the Penguins finished second in the Eastern Conference and Whitney contributed six points in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions...
, as Pittsburgh made it to the Finals
2008 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2008 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2007–08 season. As a culmination of the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings defeated the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh...
against the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. Pittsburgh was defeated in game six of the series on June 4, 2008.
In the 2008 off-season, it was revealed that Whitney had been suffering from a chronic foot injury throughout the season. It was later discovered that Whitney was born with abnormally high arches (hollow foot) in both of his feet. After an attempt using orthopedic inserts in his skates failed, Whitney underwent osteotomy
Osteotomy
An osteotomy is a surgical operation whereby a bone is cut to shorten, lengthen, or change its alignment. It is sometimes performed to correct a hallux valgus, or to straighten a bone that has healed crookedly following a fracture. It is also used to correct a coxa vara, genu valgum, and genu varum...
, a surgical procedure to realign the bones in his left foot, on August 15, 2008. It was expected that Whitney would miss five months of the 2008–09 season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
. After playing one game with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, as part of a conditioning stint, Whitney made his return to Pittsburgh, in a 2–0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
, on December 23, 2008.
Anaheim Ducks
On February 26, 2009, Whitney was traded to the Anaheim DucksAnaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, in exchange for Chris Kunitz
Chris Kunitz
Christopher Kunitz is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He has previously played for the Atlanta Thrashers and Anaheim Ducks, the latter with whom he won a Stanley Cup in 2007...
and Eric Tangradi
Eric Tangradi
Eric Tangradi is an American professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. He was selected 42nd overall in the 2nd round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...
. He scored one goal and five assists during the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
, as the Ducks made it to game seven of the Western Conference Semi-Finals, losing to the Detroit Red Wings.
Edmonton Oilers
On March 3, 2010, Whitney was traded along with a 2010 6th round draft pick (Brandon Davidson) to the Edmonton OilersEdmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, in exchange for defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky
Lubomír Višnovský
Ľubomír Višňovský is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
. The deal marked the second time that Whitney had been traded within a year, even though he has a no-trade clause in his contract.
Whitney made his Oilers debut at Rexall Place
Rexall Place
Rexall Place is an indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada situated on the north side of Northlands. It is currently the home to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League, the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL...
on March 5, against the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. His first goal for his new team would come later in the month, as the Oilers defeated the Detroit Red Wings on March 19. Whitney flourished in his new surroundings, as he finished the 2009–10 season
2009–10 NHL season
The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
in Edmonton with 11 points from 19 games, one of those goals coming against former team, Anaheim. He also tied with injured winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
, Ales Hemsky
Ales Hemsky
Aleš Hemský is a Czech professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League .-HC Pardubice:...
, as the Oilers team leader for plus/minus totals, with +7.
Whitney underwent a second osteotomy in May 2010, this time to realign the bones in his right foot.
On December 28, 2010, in a game against the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
, Whitney suffered from a right ankle injury. It was later announced that Whitney would miss the remainder of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
, needing surgery.
International play
Whitney first represented USA HockeyUSA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
at the 2000 World U-17 Hockey Challenge
2000 World U-17 Hockey Challenge
The 2000 World U-17 Hockey Challenge was hosted by Timmins, Ontario from December 27, 1999 to January 3, 2000. The event was won by Russia who beat Ontario in the Final 2-0.-Teams:...
. He played six games, and scored his first international goal. The United States finished the tournament in fourth place.
A year later, he would play in the 2001 IIHF U18 Championships
2001 IIHF World U18 Championships
-Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-Fifth place game:-Bronze medal game:-Gold medal game:-Final standings: is relegated to Division I for the 2002 IIHF World U18 Championships.-Scoring leaders:-Goaltending leaders:...
. Whitney picked up a single assist, in six games, as the United States finished in sixth place.
The next year, he moved onto the United States' U20 team at the 2002 World Juniors
2002 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2002 IIHF World U20 Championship, commonly referred as the 2002 World Junior Hockey Championships , was the 26th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships...
. It was here Whitney picked up his first international goal. He posted 3 points (one goals and two assists) in seven games, as the United States finished in fifth place.
He would also play the following year in the 2003 World Juniors
2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
-Group B:All times local .-Relegation round:Results from any games played during the preliminary round were carried forward to the relegation round.All times local ....
. Whitney posted better numbers than the year previous, picking up 5 points (one goal and four assists) in seven games, as the United States finished in fourth place.
With injuries to fellow defensemen Paul Martin and Mike Komisarek
Mike Komisarek
Michael Komisarek is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League .- Amateur years :...
, Whitney was selected as a replacement to represent the United States in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Canada Hockey Place, home of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks, and at UBC Winter Sports Centre, home of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport's UBC Thunderbirds. Twelve teams competed in the men's event and eight teams competed in the...
, held in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia. This marked Whitney's first time as an Olympic competitor. He and his team were runners-up and won the Silver Medal. It was Whitney's former teammate, Sidney Crosby, who scored the game-winning goal, which saw Canada defeat the United States 3–2, in overtime. Whitney played in all six games, not collecting any points.
During this time, Whitney also wrote a blog throughout the games, sharing his thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Personal life
Ryan has a younger brother, Sean, who is also an aspiring hockey player. He is currently playing his junior year at Cornell UniversityCornell Big Red men's ice hockey
The Cornell Big Red men's ice hockey team represents Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, in NCAA Division I men's competition. Cornell is one of eight members of the academically prestigious Ivy League conference and the hockey team plays in the ECAC Hockey conference.The 1970 Cornell...
, as a defenseman.
Awards and achievements
- 2002 Hockey EastHockey EastHockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
All-Rookie Team - 2007 NHL YoungStars Team
- 2010 Winter Olympics2010 Winter OlympicsThe 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
Silver Medal
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1999–00 | Thayer Academy Thayer Academy Thayer Academy is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory day school located in Braintree, Massachusetts. The academy, conceived in 1871 at the bequest of General Sylvanus Thayer, the father of the United States Military Academy, was founded in 1877... |
ISL Independent School League (Boston Area) The Independent School League is composed of sixteen New England preparatory schools that compete athletically and academically. Founded in 1948, the ISL's sixteen member compete in eighteen sports in the New England Prep School Athletic Conference... |
22 | 5 | 33 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | U.S. National Development Team USA Hockey National Team Development Program The National Team Development Program was started in 1996 by USA Hockey as a way to identify elite ice hockey players in the country under the age of 18, and centralize their training. There are two teams in the program, an Under-17 squad and an Under-18 squad. The teams are both based in Ann... |
U18 | 40 | 7 | 23 | 30 | 64 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 20 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Boston University Boston University Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers... |
HE Hockey East Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference.... |
35 | 4 | 17 | 21 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Boston University | HE | 34 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Boston University | HE | 38 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
— | — | — | — | — | 20 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 80 | 6 | 35 | 41 | 101 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 12 | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 9 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 2005–06 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
68 | 6 | 32 | 38 | 85 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 81 | 14 | 45 | 59 | 77 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2007–08 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 76 | 12 | 28 | 40 | 45 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 25 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | – | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 28 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Anaheim Ducks Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 20 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 9 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Anaheim Ducks | NHL | 62 | 4 | 24 | 28 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 19 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 35 | 2 | 25 | 27 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 389 | 43 | 183 | 226 | 338 | 38 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 40 | ||||
International statistics
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | United States | WHC17 2000 World U-17 Hockey Challenge The 2000 World U-17 Hockey Challenge was hosted by Timmins, Ontario from December 27, 1999 to January 3, 2000. The event was won by Russia who beat Ontario in the Final 2-0.-Teams:... |
6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | – | 4th |
| 2001 | United States | WJC18 2001 IIHF World U18 Championships -Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-Fifth place game:-Bronze medal game:-Gold medal game:-Final standings: is relegated to Division I for the 2002 IIHF World U18 Championships.-Scoring leaders:-Goaltending leaders:... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6th |
| 2002 | United States | WJC 2002 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 2002 IIHF World U20 Championship, commonly referred as the 2002 World Junior Hockey Championships , was the 26th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships... |
7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 20 | 5th |
| 2003 | United States | WJC 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships -Group B:All times local .-Relegation round:Results from any games played during the preliminary round were carried forward to the relegation round.All times local .... |
7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 4th |
| 2010 | United States | Oly | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Totals | 26 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 42 | |||