Ryan Cruthers

Ryan Cruthers is a profesional hockey player from Farmingdale, New York born on July 4, 1984. Ryan is 180 pounds a 6' tall. During Cruthers pre-collegiate career he won an EJHL Championship with the New York Apple Core and a New York State Championship with St Marys High School. Cruthers then attended West Point the United States Military Academy before transferring to RMU, Robert Morris University, where he sat out his first year due to NCAA transfer restrictions, but later Cruthers found his way to be a leader on the team, and a top collegiate player in his senior year. Cruthers graduated from RMU with degree in Sports Management. [RMU Athletic Department] After his collegiate career Cruthers went on to play professionally with the New York Islanders minor league organization the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL)and the Islanders other minor league organization the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL). [East Coast Hockey League]

Junior Hockey

Cruthers scored 43 goals and 60 assists for a total of 103 points during his term with the New York Apple Core where he won his EJHL Championship ring. Cruthers also had 101 penalty minutes.

In July of 2008, Cruthers was inducted into the New York Apple Core Hall of Fame. This was the first class inducted and included 25 past Apple Core players, coaches, owner.

During his stay at St Marys High School he won a NYS High School Championship. [United States Military Academy Athletic Department]

USMA career

Cruthers first stop on his collegiate road was the United States Military Academy. During Cruthers 2003-2004 season he tied to be leader in scoring. He had 18 points his freshman year with 13 assists and 5 goals. Cruthers won the Heinmiller Award for the most outstanding freshman that year. [United States Military Academy Athletic Department]

After an incredible first season of play Cruthers was expected to be just as a strong a player the following season and he showed up ready to play. Cruthers came in second for scoring during the 2004-2005 season but he lead the team with 10 assists and then tacked on an extra 6 goals for a total of 16 points that season. [United States Military Academy Athletic Department]

In an article written by Keith Koval for Robert Morris University Cruthers talked about his decision to transfer schools. Cruthers stated "I left on good terms," Cruthers said. "Being there for two years, I decided hockey was my passion and I wanted to pursue hockey opportunities after college instead of serving time in the military. I thought the best way to do that was to transfer." [RMU Colonials Athletic Website Article Author: Keith Koval]

Robert Morris University

After Cruthers decesion to leave USMA he called Derek Schooley the new head coach of RMU Mens Hockey Team. Schooley, formerly assistant coach for Air Force, had recruited Ryan before his decision to attend West Point and was more then happy to take Ryan on the team. [RMU Colonials Athletic Website Article Author: Keith Koval]

Cruthers was forced to sit out the 2004-2005 season.

Back and ready to play during the 2006-2007 season Cruthers made a name for himself yet again. Cruthers led the team with 37 points, 17 of which were goals and another ten assists. Cruthers rewrote the RMU record book that year.

Cruthers senior year was his biggest. Halfway through his senior year Cruthers leadership ability was shown when he was named a team a captain. Cruthers had 22 goals and 27 assists his final season. He was third in the nation in points per game. He was also in the top ten for assists.

During his senior year Cruthers was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award. The Hobey is often referred to as Heisman of Hockey. Cruthers was also nominated for the Lowe's Senior Class a coveted award for colleges top hockey players. [RMU Athletic Department]

Cruthers is also the first Robert Morris Hockey player to be called up to an American Hockey League team.

Professional career

After college Cruthers signed with the Utah Grizzlies a minor league team affiliated with the New York Islanders. Cruthers played the four regular season games with the Grizzlies and getting two assists. He was moved up to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) for one game, but did not dress. He played 15 post season games with Utah going all the way to their conference finals scoring one goal and having four assists. Cruthers has been put on the Grizzlies protected list, but has yet to sign a contract for the 2008-2009.

Awards

Cruthers won multiple collegiate awards including:

~Heinmiller Award (USMA)
~CHA Player of the Year 2008 (College Hockey America)
~Most Valuable Player 2008 (RMU)
~Best Offensive Player 2008 (RMU)
~All First Team (College Hockey America)
~Easton Three Star Award (College Hockey America)
~Third Team All American (Inside College Hockey)
~2007 All Tournament Team (NYE Frontier Classic)

[College Hockey America]

Cruthers was also nominated for two of the most coveted collegiate hockey awards:
~Hobey Baker Award
~Lowes Senior Class Award
[RMU Athletic Department]

Fan Relations

Cruthers has been known to have some of the best player to fan relations in all of collegiate hockey.In an article written by Keith Koval for Robert Morris Athletics website he quoted some of Ryan's best fans.

"We went to public skate on Martin Luther King Day," said Schuyler Kidd, team manager for the Arctic Foxes Mite A Major team. "After the public skate, we noticed that the RMU men were going to practice on the stadium rink. Justin and Stefan (her sons) wanted to watch so we hung around for a bit. After about 45 minutes, I ran to get something from inside and when I came back out, the Zamboni was on the ice and I didn't see the boys. I realized they were on the bench talking to the RMU players. The guys were so wonderful to them laughing and talking about hockey. As they talked, Ryan mentioned to Justin that he would love to come to help at a practice or watch a game. I thought he was just being polite, but it was nice of him to offer."

Having been impressed with the RMU players, Mrs. Kidd sent an e-mail to Schooley, complimenting him on his fine team. She wanted to let him know the great impression that his players had made and what great role models they were for her young sons.

"A few days later, I received an e-mail from Ryan asking for Justin's game and practice schedule," she continued. "Ryan said that he and a few of his teammates really wanted to come to help at a practice and watch a game if possible. They ended up coming to a Saturday practice. I can not stress how much it means to Justin to have met someone like Ryan and to have him follow through with his promises to come and help him. It makes Justin feel so special that Ryan knows him and wants to help his team and because of that Justin really looks up to him. We are so lucky to have a group of guys like the RMU men's ice hockey team to give our children role models." [Cruthers Leaves Mark on RMU HockeyBy Keith Koval (RMU '91)]

References