Kenny Ryan: The Latest Windsor Spitfire

When Kenny Ryan was drafted this year during the 2009 NHL entry draft, lots of talk was dedicated towards the blood lines in his family. With his dad playing alongside Joe Montana during there 1977 national championship team, his brother who played for the Michigan football team as a kicker/punter and Kenny who has been focused on hockey since he was 3 years old.

Because of these NCAA bloodlines it was well known and highly talked about that Kenny had every intention on accepting the close to $220,000 scholarship money that had been offered to him from Boston College. 

However, a few days ago, Kenny made one of the better decisions of his life that will forward his hockey career and make Leaf fans feel much better about the Phil Kessel trade. 

In case you hadn't heard, Kenny Ryan (on the right in the picture) joined the guy who went eight picks later in this years draft in Jesse Blacker (left) on the Windsor Spitfires. By leaving BC and joining the Windsor Spitfires not only does this give Kenny Ryan a prominent role on a team that is poised for great things this year, but it also gives him resources that were never available to him only one week ago.

For starters, for an 18 year old, playing time isn't something that comes at a premium when playing in the NCAA. Due to the fact that the competition is not teenagers but players in their twenties it is quite obvious that playing time will go to those players due to the fact that they only have four years of eligibility. 

Second, and perhaps one of the most overlooked benefits to the OHL and other Canadian Leagues is that Kenny Ryan is officially a pro hockey player. Don't think that matters? Well ask many other NHL prospects who play in the NCAA about the development issues they face when training camp and prospects camp comes around.

Because they are NCAA players, they cannot accept anything free from NHL teams. Flights, food, hotel rooms, cabs, cars, sticks, equipment are all necessities that the player has to pay for—many choose to do their own thing and not show up.

Finally, playing in the OHL this year will give Kenny Ryan way more playing time then he has ever played before. Barring injury, he could play up to 120 games from now until May. 

So before Leaf fans begin to jump off the closest tall building because Taylor Hall might end up slipping through our fingers, look at the prospects in our system. And don't sell your Windsor tickets because Jesse Blacker and Kenny Ryan are big boys with big time potential.

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