Upon graduating from Niagara University Purple Eagles after entering the transfer portal and coming over from 3 years at Merrimack College Warriors, rookie defenseman Ryan Cook(44) started his pro career with 17 SPHL games for Huntsville Havoc (2 goals, 2 assists) before getting loaned up to South Carolina Stingrays and signing a standard player contract with the team.
The gigantic 6’3″ 225 lbs. blue liner has 3 assists in 7 ECHL games with a +5 rating for his new club, but has found it increasingly hard to get into game appearances.
Maybe the upcoming playoffs will create more room.
It looks as though he was originally signed to a deal with Kansas City Mavericks but what occur here prior to him starting in Alabama is unknown.
A Lancaster, NY native, he spent his youth hockey in the Buffalo Jr. Sabres‘ system before graduating to the USHL for 28 games with Lincoln Stars until wanting to switch up leagues and move back up north with Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL.
He had his most significant outing in his 2nd season in South Dakota getting a huge 7 goals and 19 assists, unlike any numbers he’s ever posted, before committing to college in MA.
The 26-year old may have got the boost he needed to elevate his game to the next level.
He would get a late trade to Kalamazoo Wings, striking for 1 goal and 1 assist in 12 games to grab himself another look with the team for 2022/2023.
Traded to Reading Royals late, he acquaints himself with 6 assists in 14 games, then 1 goal in 5 playoff matchups.
He’s not sticking around for a 4 season, as he signs a 1-year deal with GKS Katowice of Polska Hokej Liga for 2023/2024.