Hockey player Ryan Kesler: biography, sports career, personal life

Ryan Kesler is a famous American hockey player,winner of the Youth World Cup and silver medalist of the Vancouver Olympics in the US team. One of the most effective central strikers in the NHL.

Biography

The future NHL star was born in 1984 ina small town in Livonia, located in Michigan (USA). His love for hockey came from his father, who in his time played for the university team, and after becoming a coach of children's and youth teams.

At the age of 4, Ryan was already confidentskating. At the age of 16, he began attending a local hockey school run by Kesler Sr.. It was here that the talent of the future famous athlete was formed.

Start a professional career

2002 was the benchmark for the professionalcareer of a young hockey player. Ryan Kesler joined the Ohio State University team. In the student league, he managed to light the red light behind the opponents' gates 11 times for 40 games of the season and gave 20 assists. These magnificent indicators for the debutant allowed him to get into the All Beginners' team, three times to get into the Team of the Week, and soon to become the best Young player of the month.

Such a game young defender could not remain withoutattention from scouts of other teams. The following season, Ryan Kesler made his debut in the American Hockey League for the club "Manitoba Mus". In his composition, the hockey player played 33 games and scored 11 (3 + 8) points.

Speeches in the NHL

In 2003, an event occurred that Ryan Kesler dreamed of all his life - the NHL took him into his ranks. In the draft 19-year-old hockey player was chartered by the team "Vancouver Canucks".

In the first season for the new club, Ryan played 28 matches, in which he managed to score two goals and three times to score with assists.

Unfortunately, such modest indicators do notallowed the striker to gain a foothold in the team, so the next season he was leased to the already familiar to him club "Manitoba Mus." Here, the talent that Ryan Kesler concealed in himself was truly revealed. The hockey player spent 78 matches, in which he scored 30 goals, and also gave 27 accurate games. In addition, he helped the team get into the playoffs of the AHL.

Next year, Ryan Kesler returns to"Vancouver Canucks", for which he played the next 9 years. Especially successful for the striker was the 2008/09 season: scoring 25 regular goals in the regular season and giving 50 assists, the hockey player was nominated for the Selke Trophy prize, which is handed to the most talented forwards.

Together with "Killer Whales" Kesler 6 times went to the seriesplayoffs. Season 2010/11 was the most successful for the team from Vancouver - in addition to winning the regular season of the NHL, the Canucks reached the Stanley Cup final, where they lost to Boston Boyins in a dramatic series. As a result of his speech, Ryan Kesler got the right to participate in the NHL All-Star Game.

The year 2014 brought serious changes for Kesler. He became a player of the ice hockey club Anaheim Ducks. For the new team, Ryan already in the first season managed to score 47 (20 + 27) points. This allowed him to firmly consolidate in the main lineup, and a little later - to become the vice-captain of the "Ducks".

For two seasons with Kesler "Anaheim Ducks" twicewon in the regular drawing of the Pacific Division and went to the playoffs of the Western Conference, but, unfortunately, are not yet a serious contender for winning the most honorable trophy of the NHL - the Stanley Cup.

US Team Games

Ryan Kessler first tried on a formTeam USA at age 17, when he took part in the World Junior Hockey Championship. Then in the final team of the United States overcame peers from Canada. Kesler managed to score 6 (1 + 5) points for six games.

In 2002, Ryan played for the US team U-18 oncompetitions under the auspices of the International Hockey Association. In eight matches played, the forward scored seven points, which helped the Americans to win this tournament for the first time, and Kesler himself was recognized as the best player of the championship.

In 2004 the collection of awards of the young hockey playerwas supplemented by one more gold medal - the Youth World Cup. As part of the US national team, Ryan Kesler held all 6 fights, having scored three goals scored, one of which he scored in the final against the Canadians.

Great game for "Vancouver Canucks" allowed26-year-old striker to break into the Olympic team of his country. In Vancouver, the US team in the dramatic final lost to the hosts only in overtime with a score of 2-3 and won silver medals. Striker Ryan Kesler took part in all six matches, in which he managed to double the red light behind the opponents' goal.

Personal life

Ryan and his wife Andrea raise a daughterMakaylu, who was born in 2008. When Kessler played for the Canucks, during the season the family lived near Vancouver, in the small town of Kitsilano, and in the off-season the hockey player took his relatives to his native city of Livonia.

In addition to hockey, the NHL star is fond of racing cars, likes to walk with his dogs and play gambling.