Joakim Ryan Bio
Joakim Ryan (born June 17, 1993) is an American-Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract with the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round (198th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Early Life and Background
Joakim Ryan was born in Rumson, New Jersey. He grew up in a family with a rich sports background; his mother, Catarina Lindqvist, was a professional tennis player, and his father, Bill Ryan, played lacrosse at the University of New Hampshire. Ryan’s early exposure to sports was diverse, as he was a top-ranked tennis player during his two years living in Sweden from 2003 to 2005. He attended Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey, where he not only played hockey but also excelled in lacrosse, finishing his career with impressive statistics.
Path to Hockey
Ryan’s hockey journey began at a young age, and he played high school hockey at Christian Brothers Academy. His collegiate career took off when he joined the Cornell Big Red men’s ice hockey team, competing in the NCAA Division I and the ECAC Hockey conference. During his junior year, Ryan’s talent was recognized when he was selected to the 2013–14 All-Ivy League First Team. After completing his senior season, he signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on March 26, 2015, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Joakim Ryan Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Joakim Ryan made his professional debut with the San Jose Sharks after being drafted in 2012. He was assigned to the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, to finish the 2014–15 season. Ryan’s performance earned him a two-year contract extension with the Sharks on June 19, 2017. He made his NHL debut during the 2017–18 season, scoring his first two goals in a game against the Edmonton Oilers on February 10, 2018. Ryan also made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut on May 2, 2018, against the Vegas Golden Knights, although the Sharks were eliminated in six games.
Breakthrough (2019–2021)
After his time with the Sharks, Ryan signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1, 2019. During the 2019–20 season, he played in 35 games, scoring one goal and contributing four assists. Following his season with the Kings, Ryan signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on October 12, 2020. He spent part of the pandemic-affected season on the taxi squad and made his Hurricanes debut on April 22, 2021, against the Florida Panthers. However, he finished the season without any points in four games.
Notable Works and Milestones
Ryan opted to continue his career in Sweden, signing with Malmö Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) on June 11, 2021. After three seasons with Malmö, he returned to North America, signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes for the 2024–25 season on July 14, 2024.
Joakim Ryan Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Joakim Ryan has not received any notable award nominations.
Joakim Ryan Awards Won
Joakim Ryan has not won any awards during his professional hockey career.
Joakim Ryan Family
Joakim Ryan is the son of Catarina Lindqvist and Bill Ryan. His mother is a former professional tennis player, while his father played lacrosse at the collegiate level.
Personal Life
Ryan has a passion for sports that extends beyond hockey, having been a standout lacrosse player in high school. He grew up as a fan of the New York Rangers and has maintained a strong connection to his athletic roots throughout his life.