Ryan Fitzgerald (ice hockey)


Ryan Thomas Fitzgerald is an American professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing with the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League as a prospect to the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. He was selected by the Bruins with the last pick in the 4th round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Fitzgerald was born in Boca Raton, Florida, when his father Tom was a member of the Florida Panthers. As a result of his father's career, he grew up in Florida and Nashville, before his family settled in North Reading, Massachusetts.

Playing career

Amateur

Fitzgerald played for Malden Catholic High School of MIAA Catholic Conference and the Valley Jr. Warriors of the Eastern Junior Hockey League before committing to play for Boston College Eagles in the Hockey East conference of the NCAA. He was the 2012 MVP of the CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game.

Collegiate

Fitzgerald joined the Eagles in the 2013-14 season and made an impact immediately as a rookie, being named the conference's rookie of the month for November, in just his second month of collegiate play. Playing alongside Hobey Baker winner Johnny Gaudreau, Fitzgerald finished the season fifth on the team in scoring with 29 points as the Eagles made a deep NCAA tournament run, coming up just short of the title game after falling to eventual champions Union in the Frozen Four.
Fitzgerald's sophomore campaign was consistent, as he led the team in goals scored and finished fourth on the team scoring, despite an early exit from postseason play.
Fitzgerald's junior year was a breakout year as he led the team in both goals scored and overall scoring, helping the team to another deep NCAA tournament run. However, the Eagles would fall short of the championship yet again, after being defeated by the Quinnipiac Bobcats in the Frozen Four. For his efforts during the season, Fitzgerald was named a Hockey East 1st-Team All-Star as well as an NCAA 2nd-Team All-American.
For his senior year, Fitzgerald was named an assistant captain of the Eagles, but dipped in his point production as the Eagles had an off year in terms of postseason success. Fitzgerald scored 12 goals and 31 points on the year as the Eagles reached the Hockey East tournament Championship, but fell to the UMass Lowell River Hawks and failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Fitzgerald ended his NCAA career with 66 goals and 132 points.

Professional

With the completion of his collegiate career, Fitzgerald was signed to a two-year entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins on March 24, 2017. He immediately joined AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, on an amateur try-out basis to play out the remaining 2016–17 season.

Personal life

Fitzgerald's father is Tom Fitzgerald, a former player in the NHL and the current interim general manager of the New Jersey Devils. His younger brother, Casey, is a defenseman and is currently a junior playing for the Eagles. He is also cousins with former Eagles and current NHL players Jimmy and Kevin Hayes as well as NHL players Brady, Matthew and Keith Tkachuk.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honors