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Ryan Kesler Bio

Jan 11, 2012
  • Name: Ryan Kesler
  • Height: 6 ft 2 inches
  • Weight: 202 lbs
  • Age: 27 years old
  • Birthday: August 31, 1984
  • Place of Birth: Livonia, Michigan
  • College: Ohio State
  • Drafted to the NHL: 1st Round (23rd overall) in 2003 by the Vancouver Canucks
  • Current Team: Vancouver Canucks

Kesler Kickstart

Power forward for the Vancouver Canucks, Ryan Kesler is becoming one of the big names in the NHL. Ryan is definitely a star in Vancouver where he carried the Canucks on his back to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011.  Let’s find out how this glamorous dude became such a big hockey star!

Red Wing Roots

Ryan started his hockey career in a small suburban city outside of Detroit, Michigan. It’s tough to make the NHL if you live in the States, so Ryan enrolled in a US National Team Development program to help get him into competitive hockey. Ryan bloomed into a great hockey player and went to college, playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Father and DaughterCourtesy of Ryan Kesler

Ryan was drafted into the NHL when he was only 19 years old. The Vancouver Canucks picked him up in the first round and he was the 23rd pick overall. He played a short time with Vancouver’s farm team, the Manitoba Moose.

Courageous Canuck

When Ryan started playing with the Canucks, he gradually became one of the leaders on the team. In the 2010-11 season Ryan scored 40 goals and led the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Finals. Ryan was definitely one of the most important players on the team, scoring big highlight-reel goals, like this one…

 

 
 

We are Family

Ryan lives in Vancouver with his wife Andrea and two children, Makayla and Ryker. Ryan says,

“I love going home and spending time with them; they always put a smile on my face, a lot more than I do. It oesn’t matter how I play or if I’m struggling, they always have a smile on their faces and they don’t care how I play, they’re just excited to see me. They bring me away from the game and help me leave the game at the rink.”

Ryan's Son RykerCourtesy of Ryan Kesler

RK17 Rules

Ryan is a pretty cool dude. He is very active online with his own twitter, website and facebook page. One of the most interesting things about Ryan is that he has his own clothing line. It’s called RK17 and it has a pretty creative logo.

Ryan Kesler RK17Courtesy of Ryan Kesler

Awards

  • Best Player Award (IIHF World U18 Championships) 2002
  • CCHA All-Rookie Team Honourable Mention 2003
  • George Burke Most Valuable Freshman (Ohio State Buckeyes) 2003
  • Played in the AHL All-Star Game 2005
  • Most Valuable Player (Manitoba Moose) 2005
  • Cyclone Taylor Award (Vancouver Canucks MVP) 2009
  • Selke Award Nominee (2009,2010)
  • Played on the USA Olympic Team (Silver Medal - 2010)

NHL 2K11Courtesy of Nintendo

Did You Know

  • Ryan has crooked pinkie fingers
  • His favorite music is rap and he likes Jay-Z
  • His favorite TV shows are Modern Family and Two and a Half Men
  • Ryan doesn’t like the Boston Bruins’ fans
  • Ryan eats a whole box of ice cream at a time
  • His favorite video game is Off Road
  • Ryan is on the cover of Wii NHL2K11
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