Ryan Cruthers
Encyclopedia
Ryan Cruthers is a professional ice hockey
player. Cruthers is currently playing for the Reading Royals
. During Cruthers pre-collegiate career he won an EJHL
Championship with the New York Apple Core and a New York State Championship with St Marys High School. Cruthers then attended West Point the United States Military Academy
before transferring to RMU, Robert Morris University
, where he sat out his first year due to NCAA transfer restrictions, but later Cruthers found his way to be a leader on the team, and a top collegiate player in his senior year. Cruthers graduated from RMU with degree in Sports Management.
In July 2008, Cruthers was inducted into the New York Apple Core Hall of Fame. This was the first class inducted and included 25 past Apple Core players, coaches, owner.
During his stay at St Marys High School he won a NYS High School Championship.
. During Cruthers 2003-2004 season he tied to be leader in scoring. He had 18 points his freshman year with 13 assists and 5 goals. Cruthers won the Heinmiller Award for the most outstanding freshman that year.
After an incredible first season of play Cruthers was expected to be just as a strong a player the following season and he showed up ready to play. Cruthers came in second for scoring during the 2004-2005 season but he led the team with 10 assists and then tacked on an extra 6 goals for a total of 16 points that season.
In an article written by Keith Koval for Robert Morris University Cruthers talked about his decision to transfer schools. Cruthers stated "I left on good terms," Cruthers said. "Being there for two years, I decided hockey was my passion and I wanted to pursue hockey opportunities after college instead of serving time in the military. I thought the best way to do that was to transfer."
, the new head coach of RMU Mens Hockey Team. Schooley, formerly assistant coach for Air Force, had recruited Ryan before his decision to attend West Point and was more than happy to take Ryan on the team.
Cruthers was forced to sit out the 2004-2005 season.
Back and ready to play during the 2006-2007 season Cruthers made a name for himself yet again. Cruthers led the team with 37 points, 17 of which were goals and another ten assists. Cruthers rewrote the RMU record book that year.
Cruthers senior year was his biggest. Halfway through his senior year Cruthers leadership ability was shown when he was named a team a captain. Cruthers had 22 goals and 27 assists his final season. He was third in the nation in points per game. He was also in the top ten for assists.
During his senior year Cruthers was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award. The Hobey is often referred to as Heisman of Hockey. Cruthers was also nominated for the Lowe's Senior Class a coveted award for colleges top hockey players.
Cruthers is also the first Robert Morris Hockey player to be called up to an American Hockey League
team.
a minor league team affiliated with the New York Islanders
. Cruthers played the four regular season games with the Grizzlies and getting two assists. He was moved up to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers
(AHL) for one game, but did not dress. He played 15 post season games with Utah going all the way to their conference finals scoring one goal and having four assists. In the 2008–09 season, Cruthers was signed by the Mississippi Sea Wolves
and led the team in scoring with 66 points (29 goals and 37 assists). Cruthers was recalled to the American Hockey League on three different occasion's for a total of nine games: five games for Colorado Avalanche
affiliate Lake Erie Monsters
and four games for Carolina Hurricanes
affiliate Albany River Rats
.
In the 2009–10 season, Cruthers initially signed with Central Hockey League
Champions the Texas Brahmas, However after only four games on October 31, 2010, Cruthers was offered a contract by the Reading Royals
of the ECHL. He once again led the team in scoring with 71 points in 60 games and the entire ECHL in playoff scoring with 24 points as the Royals reached the finals in the American conference. During the season, Cruthers was also signed to an try-out contract with the Norfolk Admirals
of the AHL totalling 1 assist in 8 games.
On August 24, 2010, Cruthers signed as a free agent to a one-year contract to remain with the Royals.
Signed a Professional Try Out contract with the Manitoba Moose
of the AHL on January 7, 2011.
Cruthers was also nominated for two of the most coveted collegiate hockey awards:
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player. Cruthers is currently playing for the Reading Royals
Reading Royals
The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania...
. During Cruthers pre-collegiate career he won an EJHL
Eastern Junior Hockey League
The Eastern Junior Hockey League is an American Tier III Junior A ice hockey league. Founded in 1993 by Dan Esdale, the EJHL has fourteen teams from across the Northeastern United States. The EJHL is a member of USA Hockey, and the EJHL champion goes on to play for the National Championship...
Championship with the New York Apple Core and a New York State Championship with St Marys High School. Cruthers then attended West Point the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
before transferring to RMU, Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University
Robert Morris University is a private, coeducational university in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1921, the school was named for Robert Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and helped finance the ensuing war with the British.-History:Robert Morris...
, where he sat out his first year due to NCAA transfer restrictions, but later Cruthers found his way to be a leader on the team, and a top collegiate player in his senior year. Cruthers graduated from RMU with degree in Sports Management.
Junior Hockey
Cruthers scored 43 goals and 60 assists for a total of 103 points during his term with the New York Apple Core where he won his EJHL Championship ring. Cruthers also had 101 penalty minutes.In July 2008, Cruthers was inducted into the New York Apple Core Hall of Fame. This was the first class inducted and included 25 past Apple Core players, coaches, owner.
During his stay at St Marys High School he won a NYS High School Championship.
USMA career
Cruthers first stop on his collegiate road was the United States Military AcademyUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
. During Cruthers 2003-2004 season he tied to be leader in scoring. He had 18 points his freshman year with 13 assists and 5 goals. Cruthers won the Heinmiller Award for the most outstanding freshman that year.
After an incredible first season of play Cruthers was expected to be just as a strong a player the following season and he showed up ready to play. Cruthers came in second for scoring during the 2004-2005 season but he led the team with 10 assists and then tacked on an extra 6 goals for a total of 16 points that season.
In an article written by Keith Koval for Robert Morris University Cruthers talked about his decision to transfer schools. Cruthers stated "I left on good terms," Cruthers said. "Being there for two years, I decided hockey was my passion and I wanted to pursue hockey opportunities after college instead of serving time in the military. I thought the best way to do that was to transfer."
Robert Morris University
After Cruthers' decision to leave USMA he called Derek SchooleyDerek Schooley
Derek Schooley is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently the head coach of the Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey team.-External links:...
, the new head coach of RMU Mens Hockey Team. Schooley, formerly assistant coach for Air Force, had recruited Ryan before his decision to attend West Point and was more than happy to take Ryan on the team.
Cruthers was forced to sit out the 2004-2005 season.
Back and ready to play during the 2006-2007 season Cruthers made a name for himself yet again. Cruthers led the team with 37 points, 17 of which were goals and another ten assists. Cruthers rewrote the RMU record book that year.
Cruthers senior year was his biggest. Halfway through his senior year Cruthers leadership ability was shown when he was named a team a captain. Cruthers had 22 goals and 27 assists his final season. He was third in the nation in points per game. He was also in the top ten for assists.
During his senior year Cruthers was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award. The Hobey is often referred to as Heisman of Hockey. Cruthers was also nominated for the Lowe's Senior Class a coveted award for colleges top hockey players.
Cruthers is also the first Robert Morris Hockey player to be called up to an American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
team.
Professional career
After college Cruthers signed with the Utah GrizzliesUtah Grizzlies
The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :...
a minor league team affiliated with the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Cruthers played the four regular season games with the Grizzlies and getting two assists. He was moved up to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Bridgeport Sound Tigers
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in...
(AHL) for one game, but did not dress. He played 15 post season games with Utah going all the way to their conference finals scoring one goal and having four assists. In the 2008–09 season, Cruthers was signed by the Mississippi Sea Wolves
Mississippi Sea Wolves
The Mississippi Sea Wolves were a professional hockey team based in Biloxi, Mississippi and playing in the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The Sea Wolves were members of the ECHL....
and led the team in scoring with 66 points (29 goals and 37 assists). Cruthers was recalled to the American Hockey League on three different occasion's for a total of nine games: five games for Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
affiliate Lake Erie Monsters
Lake Erie Monsters
The Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio...
and four games for Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
affiliate Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
.
In the 2009–10 season, Cruthers initially signed with Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
Champions the Texas Brahmas, However after only four games on October 31, 2010, Cruthers was offered a contract by the Reading Royals
Reading Royals
The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania...
of the ECHL. He once again led the team in scoring with 71 points in 60 games and the entire ECHL in playoff scoring with 24 points as the Royals reached the finals in the American conference. During the season, Cruthers was also signed to an try-out contract with the Norfolk Admirals
Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:...
of the AHL totalling 1 assist in 8 games.
On August 24, 2010, Cruthers signed as a free agent to a one-year contract to remain with the Royals.
Signed a Professional Try Out contract with the Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
of the AHL on January 7, 2011.
Awards
- Heinmiller Award (USMA)
- CHA Player of the Year 2008 (College Hockey America)
- Most Valuable Player 2008 (RMU)
- Best Offensive Player 2008 (RMU)
- All First Team (College Hockey America)
- Easton Three Star Award (College Hockey America)
- Third Team All American (Inside College Hockey)
- 2007 All Tournament Team (NYE Frontier Classic)
Cruthers was also nominated for two of the most coveted collegiate hockey awards:
- Hobey Baker AwardHobey Baker AwardThe Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
- Lowes Senior Class Award
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2003–04 | Army United States Military Academy The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City... |
AHA Atlantic Hockey The Atlantic Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates primarily in the northeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey–only conference. Unlike several other college athletic conferences, Atlantic Hockey has no women's... |
29 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Army | AHA | 18 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Robert Morris University Robert Morris University Robert Morris University is a private, coeducational university in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1921, the school was named for Robert Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and helped finance the ensuing war with the British.-History:Robert Morris... |
CHA College Hockey America College Hockey America is a women's college ice hockey conference in the United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. The conference is currently made up of four women's teams in New York and Pennsylvania.... |
34 | 17 | 20 | 37 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Robert Morris University | CHA | 34 | 22 | 27 | 49 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 2007-08 ECHL season The 2007–08 ECHL season was the 20th season of the ECHL.Two teams suspended operations at the end of the 2006–07 season, the Long Beach Ice Dogs and the Toledo Storm... |
Utah Grizzlies Utah Grizzlies The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :... |
ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2008–09 | Mississippi Sea Wolves Mississippi Sea Wolves The Mississippi Sea Wolves were a professional hockey team based in Biloxi, Mississippi and playing in the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. The Sea Wolves were members of the ECHL.... |
ECHL | 65 | 29 | 37 | 66 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Lake Erie Monsters Lake Erie Monsters The Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Texas Brahmas | CHL Central Hockey League The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs.... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Reading Royals Reading Royals The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania... |
ECHL | 60 | 22 | 49 | 71 | 71 | 16 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 12 | ||
| 2009–10 | Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Admirals The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:... |
AHL | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Reading Royals | ECHL | 51 | 22 | 35 | 57 | 44 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 | ||
| 2010–11 | Lake Erie Monsters | AHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Manitoba Moose Manitoba Moose The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St... |
AHL | 12 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
AHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| AHL totals | 32 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||