Ryan proves he was worth the wait

While consensus top pick Sidney Crosby had become a superstar and players such as Jack Johnson, Carey Price, Devin Setoguchi and Anze Kopitar were fixtures on their respective teams, Ryan was still in the minor leagues at the start of the 2008-09 season.

The 22-year-old Anaheim Ducks winger has made up for lost time.

As expected, Ryan was selected Wednesday as one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy, given to the League’s top rookie player. Despite not being called up for good from Iowa of the American Hockey League until mid-November, Ryan still led all rookie scorers with 31 goals and 57 points in just 64 games.

Ryan had to start the season with Iowa as the Ducks sifted their way out of some salary-cap issues.

"It's something that I try to leave on the back burner once they told me I was here and not going anywhere for the rest of the way,” Ryan said. "You leave it in the past and move forward. Certainly, it’s a nice achievement for me. It's something I’ll reflect on after it's all said and done here, for sure."

The other two finalists for the prestigious award are Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason and Chicago Blackhawks left wing Kris Versteeg.

Ryan said if he were to cast a ballot, he would go with Mason, who led the Blue Jackets into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. He's is also a potential Vezina Trophy candidate after going 33-20-7 with a 2.29 goals-against average and a League-high 10 shutouts.

"It’s hard not to vote for Mason in Columbus after the year he’s put together," Ryan said. "Ten shutouts or whatever and led his team to their first postseason. He’s got my vote."

Ryan figures to get his share of votes as he finished second to Corey Perry on the Ducks in goals. The Cherry Hill, N.J., native was called up three times last season but could not stick each time.

Anaheim stayed patient. Even though the Ducks took Ryan with the second pick after Crosby, then-GM Brian Burke had no plans to rush him into the NHL.

Ryan went back to junior hockey at Owen Sound of the Ontario Hockey League before being promoted to Portland of the AHL in 2007-08 and then Iowa when the Ducks changed affiliates.

"It wasn't unfortunate, but I was drafted by a team that didn’t need me right way," Ryan said. "I think in the long run, a lot of good thing can come from it. I got to mature a little bit in non-pressure situations, be it in Portland or in Iowa. I certainly enjoyed my time in both places.

"It is tough at times because of the runaround with all the ups and downs. Looking back I don’t think I’d change it."

Ryan conceded that his regular season was vindication against those who already proclaimed him a draft bust when it took him longer to stick than others in his draft class.

"A lot of naysayers and doubters were around, that’s for sure," he said. "That's part of it. It comes with the label of being a No. 2 pick for sure. But there was never really any doubt in my mind."

Still, Ryan wondered at times if he had a future with Anaheim. There were instances when his name came up in trade speculation at the deadline the past two seasons.

"There were a few moments where I thought I might be on the move,” he said. “Brian Burke told me, 'If I can't get you up here, then I will move you out of fairness to you because you deserve the opportunity to play.' But I never really thought at the end of the day that I’d be going anywhere."

Now that Ryan has arrived, Ducks coach Randy Carlyle sees a bright future for his winger if he continues with his development.

"He’s had some peaks and valleys and he shows some signs of being a young player," Carlyle said. "He’s got a great starting point. A very talented young kid.

"I still think there’s a lot more room for him to grow. He’s naturally going to get stronger in the next three or four years. We’re going to try to expedite that process. If he stays committed as he has been in the last year and a half, it’s really going to help him."

Ryan said Carlyle has pushed him to being the players that he is at this time.

"Through all of his madness, there's a method," Ryan said. "Absolutely. It’s certainly no secret I’ve come a long way here in the last year off the ice."