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). Joakim Ryan was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round, 198th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and he has spent parts of several seasons at the top level of North American hockey.
Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing about 185 pounds, Joakim Ryan is a left-shooting defenseman known for his mobility, his ability to move the puck out of his own zone, and his steady work in a depth role. He has suited up for the San Jose Sharks, the Los Angeles Kings, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Malmö Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League, and the Chicago Wolves, giving him experience on both sides of the Atlantic.
Early Life and Background
Joakim Ryan was born on June 17, 1993, in Rumson, New Jersey, in the United States. He grew up in the same small New Jersey town, the son of Bill Ryan, who played lacrosse at the University of New Hampshire, and Catarina Lindqvist, a former professional tennis player. With a Swedish mother and an American father, Joakim Ryan holds both American and Swedish citizenship, and his family gave him early exposure to several competitive sports.
Joakim Ryan spent two years living in Sweden, from 2003 to 2005, where he became a top-ranked tennis player in his age group. He grew up cheering for the New York Rangers and developed his love for hockey in the rinks of New Jersey. After returning from Sweden, he attended Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey, where he starred in both hockey and lacrosse. As a lacrosse player, he finished his high school career with 153 goals and 222 points, figures that placed him among the all-time leaders at the school.
Path to Hockey
Joakim Ryan played high school hockey at Christian Brothers Academy, where his skating and passing drew the attention of college and professional scouts. His development on the blue line in New Jersey led to an invitation to play NCAA Division I hockey, and he committed to Cornell University, joining the Cornell Big Red men’s ice hockey team in the ECAC Hockey conference.
At Cornell, Joakim Ryan progressed steadily through three seasons. In his junior year, his strong two-way play was rewarded with a selection to the 2013–14 All-Ivy League First Team, a clear signal that he was ready for the next step. By the end of his senior season, NHL teams were also paying attention, and he had already been drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Joakim Ryan Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
On March 26, 2015, at the end of his senior year at Cornell, Joakim Ryan signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks. He was immediately assigned to the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, then known as the Worcester Sharks, to finish out the 2014–15 season. He spent his first full professional campaigns developing in the AHL, adjusting to the pace and physicality of pro hockey while refining his defensive game.
On June 19, 2017, Joakim Ryan signed a two-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks, a sign that the organization viewed him as part of its future on the blue line. He continued to bounce between the AHL and the NHL during that stretch, and when he was recalled on December 22, 2017, he finally began to carve out a regular role with the parent club.
San Jose Sharks Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Joakim Ryan made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks, and on February 10, 2018, he scored his first two NHL goals in a 6–4 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. The performance announced his arrival as an offensive contributor from the back end, and he quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff.
Joakim Ryan made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut on May 2, 2018, helping the Sharks to a 4–0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Sharks pushed the eventual Western Conference champions to six games, giving Ryan his first taste of playoff hockey. He continued to play a depth defensive role for San Jose through the 2018–19 season before becoming a free agent.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2019–2020)
On July 1, 2019, Joakim Ryan signed a one-year contract worth $725,000 with the Los Angeles Kings as an unrestricted free agent. He joined a young Kings team in the middle of a rebuild, and he was used primarily in a depth defensive role.
During the 2019–20 season, Joakim Ryan appeared in 35 games for the Kings, scoring one goal and adding four assists. The season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Ryan once again reached free agency when his contract expired.
Carolina Hurricanes and Malmö Redhawks Era (2020–2024)
On October 12, 2020, Joakim Ryan signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. He began the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season on the team’s taxi squad before being assigned to the Chicago Wolves, Carolina’s AHL affiliate. After four games with the Wolves, he was recalled and made his Hurricanes debut on April 22, 2021, against the Florida Panthers. He finished the season having played just four NHL games with Carolina, going scoreless.
On June 11, 2021, Joakim Ryan opted to return to Sweden, signing with his former youth club, the Malmö Redhawks of the SHL. He spent three seasons in the Swedish Hockey League, playing top-level European hockey and reconnecting with his Swedish roots. After his deal expired, he returned to North America.
Driving Style and Strengths
Joakim Ryan is a mobile, left-shooting defenseman whose game is built on smart positioning, clean breakouts, and steady play in his own zone. He reads the play well, uses his skating to escape pressure, and is comfortable joining the rush when the opportunity arises. Coaches have generally used him in a depth role, pairing him with more physical partners while leaning on his puck-moving ability.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Joakim Ryan’s career include his first NHL goals against the Edmonton Oilers in February 2018, his Stanley Cup playoffs debut against the Vegas Golden Knights in May 2018, and his transition between the NHL and the SHL with the Malmö Redhawks. He has represented three different NHL organizations and added an AHL stint with the Chicago Wolves along the way.
Joakim Ryan Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joakim Ryan comes from an athletic family with roots in both the United States and Sweden. His father, Bill Ryan, played lacrosse at the University of New Hampshire, while his mother, Catarina Lindqvist, was a professional tennis player. The family’s sporting background helped shape Joakim’s competitive outlook from a young age.
Personal Life
Joakim Ryan is a dual American-Swedish national who spent part of his childhood in Sweden, an experience that deepened his connection to his mother’s homeland. A lifelong New York Rangers fan, he continues to carry the influences of both New Jersey, where he grew up, and Scandinavia, where he spent formative years. Information about his marital status and children is not publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Joakim Ryan signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 14, 2024, returning to the organization for the 2024–25 season. With Carolina’s deep defensive group, he was expected to split time between the NHL roster and the Chicago Wolves in the AHL, providing veteran depth on the blue line.
As an experienced depth defenseman, Joakim Ryan offered Carolina a reliable option to step in when injuries struck, as well as a steady presence for the Wolves. His familiarity with the Hurricanes’ system, built during the 2020–21 season, allowed him to settle in quickly and focus on his two-way game.
Looking ahead through 2025, Joakim Ryan remains an unrestricted free agent, with his next contract and destination yet to be determined. Whether he returns to the NHL, takes another opportunity in Europe, or remains in the AHL, his mix of NHL experience and SHL seasoning should keep him in demand as a dependable defenseman.