Ryan Callahan epitomizes the elements coaches hope to instill in players.
Grit. Determination. Heart. Sacrifice. Leadership.
The forward pours all of himself, and those qualities, into the game. He stands out, not necessarily for his statistics, but for how he plays.
A fourth-round pick (No. 127) of the New York Rangers in the 2004 NHL Draft, Callahan makes his mark in ways that often go unnoticed from the stands but earn him plenty of praise from the bench. The native of Rochester, N.Y., knows only one way to play, and that's all-out on every shift.
Whether Callahan is laying a big hit on an opponent off a strong forecheck, blocking a shot or taking punishment in front of the net trying to create a screen, he is often cited as example on how to do things right.
During the 2015 postseason, Callahan underwent an emergency appendectomy the night before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Montreal Canadiens but was back in the lineup five days later for the start of the conference final against the Rangers.
Setting that type of gritty example has earned him a reputation as one of the top leaders in the game. Entering 2009-10, his third full season, he was named an alternate captain by the Rangers. Two seasons later, he was named the 26th captain in Rangers history and the first New York-born player to serve that role.
Callahan remained the Rangers captain until March 5, 2014, when he was traded to Tampa Bay in a captain-for-captain swap for Martin St. Louis.
Callahan was in the final year of his contract, but instead of testing the free agent market, he opted to remain with the Lightning. He signed a six-year contract extension days before free agency opened.
A two-time U.S. Olympian who won a silver medal at the 2010 Games in Vancouver, Callahan has served as alternate captain for Tampa Bay.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- OHL Second All-Star Team (2006)
- AHL All-Rookie Team (2007)
- Traded to Tampa Bay by NY Rangers with NY Rangers' 1st round pick (later traded to NY Islanders -- NY Islanders selected Joshua Ho-Sang) in 2014 NHL Draft and NY Rangers' 1st (later traded to NY Islanders -- NY Islanders selected Anthony Beauvillier) and 7th (later traded to Edmonton -- Edmonton selected Ziyat Paigin) round picks in 2015 NHL Draft for Martin St. Louis and Tampa Bay's 2nd round pick (later traded to Calgary -- Calgary selected Oliver Kylington) in 2015 NHL Draft, March 5, 2014.
