Mike Van Ryn, St. Louis Blues

This month’s player spotlight is on St. Louis Blues Assistant Coach and father of three, Mike Van Ryn. After winning a National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines, the London native was selected 26th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. In the fall of 1999, Mike moved back to Canada to join the OHL, where he, and teammate Mike Comrie, took advantage of a rule which allowed them to sign with any NHL club. The following summer, Mike signed as a UFA with the St. Louis Blues, prompting the NHL to amend the CBA banning junior players from declaring free agency. Click the link below to learn more about the “Mike Van Ryn Rule”.