Ryan Reaves Bio
Ryan Reaves is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on January 20, 1987, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. A notable player in the NHL, Ryan has played for multiple teams including the Minnesota Wild, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Vegas Golden Knights. Known for his tough playing style, Reaves has established himself as an enforcer. He is the son of former professional football player Willard Reaves and holds citizenship in both Canada and the United States.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Reaves began playing hockey at the age of five and football at age eight. As a youth, he played in the 2000 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Winnipeg South Monarchs minor ice hockey team. Although he played both football and hockey growing up, an injury forced him to forfeit football as a sport. This injury occurred during a hockey tournament and made him unable to compete in the football season prior to his Western Hockey League draft year. Reaves was eventually drafted 36th overall by the Brandon Wheat Kings in the 2002 WHL bantam draft. Despite this, he continued to play for the St. John’s-Ravenscourt School hockey team, leading them to the 2004 McDonald’s Provincial High School Hockey Championship.
Path to Hockey
Reaves joined the Wheat Kings for his rookie campaign during the 2004–05 season. Prior to the 2005–06 season, he was named an alternate captain alongside Mark Derlago, Riley Day, and Derek LeBlanc. He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues 156th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. On May 15, 2007, Reaves signed a three-year entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues. After concluding his major junior season, he attended the Blues’ 2007 training camp and was reassigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen.
Ryan Reaves Career
Early Career (2007–2010)
Reaves made his NHL debut on October 11, 2010, where he served 15 penalty minutes in the Blues’ 5–1 win over the Anaheim Ducks. He was returned to Peoria after two games with the Blues. He later scored his first NHL goal on January 12, 2011, against the Ducks. Reaves’ 2015–16 season was cut short due to a knee injury, but he returned to the Blues’ lineup weighing 225 pounds instead of his usual 230. During the offseason, he trained with Blues assistant coach Sean Ferrell.
Breakthrough (2017–2018)
On June 23, 2017, after seven seasons with the Blues, Reaves was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with a second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In the 2017–18 season, he provided muscle to the Penguins’ lower lines, contributing 4 goals and 8 points in 58 games. On February 23, 2018, Reaves was involved in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he scored the series-winning goal over the Winnipeg Jets that qualified the Golden Knights for the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. He also scored in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, although the Washington Capitals would ultimately win the championship.
Notable Works and Milestones
Reaves recorded a career-high nine goals and 20 points during his time with the Golden Knights. He was suspended for five games during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs for an injury on Colorado Avalanche skater Ryan Graves. After going scoreless in 12 games with the Rangers to start the 2022–23 season, Reaves was traded to the Minnesota Wild.
Ryan Reaves Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Ryan Reaves has been recognized for his contributions to the sport, although specific nominations are not detailed in the available information.
Ryan Reaves Awards Won
Ryan Reaves has not been detailed as having won specific awards throughout his career, but his impact on the ice is well recognized.
Ryan Reaves Family
Ryan Reaves is the son of Willard Reaves, a former professional football player in the Canadian Football League and National Football League. He has a brother, Jordan Reaves, who plays for the Edmonton Elks, and an older sister named Regina. Ryan is married to Alanna, and they have two children together, Kane and Kamilla.
Personal Life
Ryan Reaves holds both American and Canadian citizenship. He has made claims of being a descendant of Bass Reeves, a former slave who was an early Black deputy U.S. marshal. This connection has been highlighted in the context of the 2023 TV series ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves.’
