Ryan Pulock Bio
Ryan Pulock is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenceman for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 15th overall by the Islanders in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, he has developed into a reliable two-way blue-liner and serves as an alternate captain for the franchise. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 214 pounds, Pulock shoots right and is recognized for his strong shot, steady defensive play, and leadership on the back end.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Pulock was born on October 6, 1994, in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada, and grew up in the nearby community of Grandview. He was raised by his parents, Dave Pulock and Tannis Pulock, alongside his brothers, including his older brother Brock and brother Derrick. From an early age, Pulock was immersed in the hockey culture of rural Manitoba, spending winters at local rinks and developing the foundation that would carry him through competitive youth hockey.
In 2010, while driving to see his older brother play hockey, the Pulock family was involved in a serious car accident that claimed the life of his brother Brock. The tragedy deeply affected the family, and Ryan has often spoken about carrying Brock’s memory with him throughout his hockey journey. Despite the loss, Pulock remained committed to the sport and continued to progress through the junior ranks in western Canada.
Path to Hockey
Pulock’s path to professional hockey began in the Western Hockey League, where he was selected by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. He spent his entire major junior career with the Wheat Kings, developing into one of the WHL’s most dependable defencemen. His size, mobility, and powerful slap shot made him a top prospect heading into his draft year, and he drew attention from NHL scouts across the league.
His strong play in Brandon was rewarded when the New York Islanders selected him 15th overall in the first round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The following season, Pulock was named to the 2014 WHL First All-Star Team, cementing his reputation as one of the top defencemen in Canadian major junior hockey. On September 28, 2013, shortly after being drafted, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Islanders, officially beginning his professional career.
Ryan Pulock Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
Following his signing with the Islanders, Pulock was assigned to the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, where he spent the next three seasons refining his game. During his time in the AHL, he was named to the All-Rookie Team and was selected as an AHL All-Star for two consecutive seasons, demonstrating the offensive skill and composure that had made him a first-round pick.
Pulock earned his first NHL call-up of the 2015–16 season after Islanders defenceman Calvin de Haan was placed on injured reserve. He made his NHL debut on February 28, 2016, against the Edmonton Oilers. Later that season, on March 17, he recorded his first career NHL goal in a 4–2 loss to the Nashville Predators. Pulock also netted his first Stanley Cup playoff goal, a power-play marker in Game 3 against the Florida Panthers during the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.
NHL Breakthrough (2016–2018)
Pulock began the 2016–17 season with the Islanders but suffered an injury early in the year and was sent back to the AHL to recover and continue his development. The setback proved temporary, as he returned stronger the following season, making the Islanders roster out of training camp and playing the full 2017–18 campaign in the NHL. His steady improvement earned him a new contract, and on July 17, 2018, he re-signed with the Islanders, signaling the organization’s belief in his long-term role with the team.
During the 2018 offseason, Pulock volunteered as a guest instructor at a hockey school in Brandon, Manitoba, alongside other notable Canadian hockey players and instructors. His growing reputation as both a player and a leader in the hockey community was reinforced by his performances on the ice, where he began to log significant minutes and contribute on both special teams units.
New York Islanders Era (2018–Present)
In the 2018–19 season, new Islanders head coach Barry Trotz paired Pulock with former Bridgeport Sound Tigers teammate Adam Pelech, forming one of the league’s most reliable defensive pairings. The duo quickly became central to the Islanders’ identity under Trotz, helping the team reach the second round of the playoffs. Pulock’s role on the power play and penalty kill grew, and he emerged as a key part of the Islanders’ resurgence as a competitive franchise.
His contributions were rewarded with a two-year, $10 million contract signed on November 4, 2020, and later with a long-term eight-year, $49.2 million contract extension signed on October 14, 2021, that runs through the 2028–29 season. He was also named an alternate captain for the Islanders, further cementing his leadership status within the locker room.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pulock is widely regarded for his powerful slap shot, which is among the hardest on the Islanders’ blue line, making him a constant threat on the power play. Defensively, he pairs well with steady partners like Adam Pelech, using his size and active stick to disrupt opposing forwards. His calm puck movement and ability to join the rush have made him a complete two-way defenceman at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Pulock’s most notable career moments is his first NHL playoff goal against the Florida Panthers in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, a power-play strike that hinted at his offensive upside. He has since logged deep playoff runs with the Islanders, including appearances in the NHL Semifinals, and has signed two major contracts that reflect his importance to the franchise. His long-term extension in 2021 underscored the Islanders’ commitment to building around him and his defensive partner.
Ryan Pulock Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Pulock was raised in Grandview, Manitoba, by his parents Dave and Tannis Pulock, alongside his brothers, including the late Brock Pulock and Derrick Pulock. The family has deep roots in rural Manitoba, where hockey has long been a central part of community life. The tragic loss of his brother Brock in 2010 has remained a powerful influence on Ryan’s life and career, motivating him to honour his family’s love of the game.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Pulock has stayed closely tied to his Manitoba roots, returning to the province in the offseason to support youth hockey initiatives and reconnect with his family and community. He has continued to participate in charitable events, including volunteering as a guest instructor at hockey schools in the Brandon area. Pulock’s commitment to family and community has been a defining part of his identity beyond his role as an NHL defenceman.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Ryan Pulock remains a cornerstone of the New York Islanders’ defence corps, logging top-pair minutes alongside Adam Pelech and contributing on both the power play and penalty kill. Under the team’s continued commitment to a structured defensive system, Pulock is expected to remain a key driver of possession and shot generation from the blue line, while mentoring younger defencemen on the roster.
His long-term contract, which runs through the 2028–29 season, gives the Islanders stability on the back end and allows Pulock to focus on his game and the team’s pursuit of a deep playoff run. With his experience, shot, and leadership, he is positioned to remain central to New York’s hopes of contending in the Eastern Conference in 2025 and beyond.
