Sport: Hockey
Born: March 17, 1987
Town: Cherry Hill, New Jersey
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 during a domestic dispute. She did not press charges, but fearing the outcome of a trial, the family fled to Los Angeles and rechristened themselves 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 higher 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 his “hometown” team, the Anaheim Ducks, right after Sidney Crosby. Playing under the weight of high expectations, Bobby did not develop as quickly as many fans wanted and some were saying he was a draft-day bust. Bobby finally broke through in his first full season, scoring 31 goals for the Ducks and adding 5 more during the playoffs. Bobby was named to the 2008–09 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 34 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 Kopitar 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 2012–13 NHL season resumed, Bobby had 30 points in 46 games. The following summer, the Ducks traded him to the Ottawa Senators for a first-round pick and two other players. Bobby scored 23 goals for the Sens 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. Bobby played seven season for Ottawa before finishing his career with the Red Wings in 2020–21. In 2020, he was awarded the Masterson Trophy for sportsmanship and perseverance.