Ryan Kesler

Ryan Kesler (born Ryan James Kesler on August 31, 1984) is an American professional ice hockey center for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks during home games.

Selected in the first round (23rd overall) by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan has spent his entire ten-year NHL career with the Canucks.

He is best known for being a two-way forward, winning the Selke Trophy in 2011 after having finished as a finalist the previous two years, as well as for his agitating style of play.

Ryan played junior hockey with the U.S. National Team Development Program from which he then accepted a scholarship to play college hockey with the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

In one season with the Buckeyes, he was an honourable mention for the CCHA All-Rookie Team and was named CCHA Rookie of the Week three times and CCHA Rookie of the Month once.

In addition to the U.S. National Team Development Program and the Ohio State Buckeyes, Ryan has also suited up for the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL) where he was named to the 2005 AHL All-Star Game.

Ryan has represented the United States at five International Ice Hockey Federation-sanctioned events, winning one World U18 Championship gold medal, one World Junior Championships gold medal and the 2010 Winter Olympics silver medal.

He also participated in the 2001 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he won a gold medal.