Summer Catch Up: Ryan Spooner

Forward Ryan Spooner got a taste of New York last season after arriving from Boston at the trade deadline, and re-upped with the Rangers for two more years this offseason.
The 26-year-old spent his summer traveling, listening and playing music and even spent a day on patrol in his hometown of Ottawa. We caught up with Spooner to see what he's been up to since the season ended in New York.

NYR: How has summer treated you?
RS: "Summer has been long. We didn't make the playoffs, so that wasn't great. Besides that, it's been nice to get back and see my family and friends and unwind a little bit to recharge the battery.
I've done the same old stuff as most of the guys. Going to the gym and try and stay in shape. I went to Europe and Barbados with my girlfriend and now back in Ottawa."
NYR: Do you try and use the summer months to make up for lost time with friends and family who you might not see much during the hockey season?
RS: "My mom and dad come down maybe twice a year. They have to work and have a couple dogs. It's hard for them to get off to see me. Same with my sister and my girlfriend and my buddies. Maybe I'll see my friends and family for a total of two weeks during the year. It's always nice to come home and catch up. It's always nice to do that."
NYR: What was your reaction to staying with the Rangers this summer?
RS: "It was awesome. I was thrilled. It's a great city and I'm excited to get back. When I got the call that they wanted to sign me I was thrilled and happy. I'm excited to start."
NYR: What were those few months like for you with the Rangers last season?
RS: "When it comes to that stuff, I have in the back of my mind that it's a business and that's how it's run. When I first heard I was being traded I was a little upset. I was in Boston for five years and got close with some of the guys.
It's sad to leave, but at the same time, it's a fresh start. It's a great team and the guys were awesome with me. The coaching staff and all the staff - I was lucky I came to a team that was extremely welcoming. It made the transition for me a lot smoother. It was a weird situation I went through. I had never been traded at the pro level, but I'm happy now and I'm excited to start."
NYR: Have you given thought to where you want to live?
RS: "I think I'm staying in Hell's Kitchen up by the park. I was looking at spots in Chelsea but the lease didn't work. I'm trying to find a place until June and the playoffs.
NYR: Did you get the chance to explore the city last year?
RS: "My mom and dad came up and we went to the park and went to see the Statue of Liberty. We walked around the city and went to Times Square. I shopped in SoHo with my girlfriend, too. I'd just go for walks and went on one for six hours one day."

NYR: We've seen on Instagram throughout the summer you doing some DJing. How did that interest come about?
RS: "Since I was a kid I've been the guy who listens to a bunch of different music. It's a big passion of mine. Last summer I went to Spain and then I went to Croatia to see some music festivals. I said to myself that if it's a passion, I might as well just start doing that.
I spend a lot of time finding new songs. A couple hours sometimes a day, just finding stuff. When I play a show it's fun putting a set list together. I just find it a cool thing. It's been fun so far and it keeps me busy."
NYR: You recently posted some photos of you after doing a ride along with the police in Ottawa. What was that like?
RS: "My dad used to run the Boys and Girls club [in Ottawa]. He worked with a guy named Abdul. I'd go when I was like 7. A few years ago he reached out to me and said he remembered that I used to want to be a cop. I did my first ride along about three years ago and again now.
I met the staff sergeant and the people he works with and I got to tag along with them. It was a fun time and it was fun to help out with a bunch of different things. It can be scary, but you're also doing good and helping out a lot of different people. It's something I want to look at when I'm done playing."
NYR: When you're not traveling, DJing or riding along with cops, are there any TV shows you're watching on a lazy day?
RS: "I've been watching Prison Break. I'm up to season four now. That's probably my favorite show. I watched that when I played junior for the Frontenacs [of the Ontario Hockey League]. I forgot most of it. Beside that I'm not a big movie guy. I like TV shows, but I usually just watch music sets and music festivals."
NYR: Being a big music fan, has there been a song or album that's dominated your speakers this summer?
RS: "I honestly listen to so many different songs. I don't really like rap or hip hop but I love house music. I've bene listening to Lucas & Steve. They're more festival music, feel good house music. One song has been Wake Me Up by Avicii that's a speed remix. It's a great song. It's eight and a half minutes long."

NYR: You mentioned going to Europe. What spots did you get to?
RS: "I went to Amsterdam and then Croatia for Ultra Music Festival. I went to Greece and then Barbados with my girlfriend."
NYR: At this point in the summer, what's your training schedule like?
RS: "Yesterday I skated at 9:15 am with a skill session, then went to the gym at 11. Then did a bag skate at 3 pm. Today I skated for an hour and a half before golfing. Tomorrow I'm working out at 9:30 and then playing in a golf tournament then a run at night with my girlfriend.
I try to do yoga once a week and skate three or four times a week, with a gym session three or four times a week. I usually take off Sunday."
NYR: How does yoga help you?
RS: "Honestly, my flexibility is terrible and my lower back gets sore and I have flat feet and get sore. When I go to yoga, it's the best feeling in the world. I feel 1,000 times better. People swear by it. It just takes away the aches and pains. It all goes away. It's incredible. I'm going to look for a spot in the city when I get back."
NYR: What's your mindset heading into your first full season with the Rangers?
RS: "For me, I'm just going to show up and have some fun with it and play hockey and get to know everyone. I find that if I get to stressed out it doesn't help me or the team. I'm going to make sure I'm in the best shape I can be in and the best teammate I can be. I think it's going to be a fun year."