River Rats' Ryan named AHL all-star

Rarely given to overt shows of emotion on the ice, Michael Ryan took the news of his first professional all-star game selection in exactly the same fashion.

Ryan, a 28-year-old Boston-area native., was named Wednesday as the Albany River Rats' representative at the AHL all-star festivities later this month.

“He was happy, and he said, ‘Thanks,’ ” head coach-GM Jeff Daniels said. “It’s tough to get a read on him, sometimes, because he doesn’t show a lot of emotion.

“It’s a great compliment to him. It shows how he’s viewed throughout the league, and he’s doing a lot of good things. He definitely deserves his selection.”

Ryan will skate for PlanetUSA, a team comprised of players born outside Canada, in the annual event, held this year on Jan. 25 and 26 in Worcester, Mass, about 50 miles from his hometown of Milton.

“I wasn’t thinking a whole lot about it,” Ryan said. “I’m happy to get the recognition, of course.”

Signed to a one-year, two-way contract by the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 31, Ryan leads Albany with 13 goals, 25 points and a plus-2 rating, and is third with 12 assists in 27 games.

He has skated on the Rats’ top line with Jakub Petruzalek and Yannick Tifu, and has been part of the first power-play unit since his arrival.

He is also tied for the team lead with four power-play goals and two game-winners.

“First and foremost, the coaching staff made me feel comfortable right away and put me in positions where I could succeed and try and help the team as much as I can,” Ryan said. “I’m glad they gave me that opportunity.”

Ryan scored hat tricks on Jan. 2 and Dec. 12, becoming just the third Rats player with two or more three-goal games in a single season. Steve Sullivan had three in 1995-96, and Pierre Dagenais had two in 2000-01.

In a 7-1 win at Manchester on Dec. 12, Ryan tied a franchise single-game record with five points, also picking up two assists.

“He was signed as a veteran guy that could provide leadership and some scoring at the American League level, and also be a good depth guy for the big club,” Daniels said. “He’s been great.

“He’s been that leader and veteran guy we need, and he’s provided offense. It’s only a matter of time before he gets the chance to show himself up top.”

Ryan was scoreless in a two-game stint with the Canes in early November, bringing his career total to 67 NHL games. He spent all of last season with the Buffalo Sabres.

“The numbers are pretty good and pretty much what I expected out of myself,” Ryan said, “but I really want to try to get some more wins for this club and try to make the playoffs. That’s my biggest concern.”

Joining Ryan on the PlanetUSA team is former Albany captain Keith Aucoin of Hershey, who leads the AHL with 48 points in 34 games.

The Canadian all-star team was announced Tuesday, and features a strong ex-Rats influence in captain Bryan Helmer, defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Kyle Cumiskey and forward Chris Minard.

AHL ALL-STAR ROSTERS

CANADIAN ALL-STARS

Forwards: Steve Downie, Norfolk; x-Alexandre Giroux, Hershey; x-Claude Giroux, Philadelphia; Mike Iggulden, Bridgeport; Jason Krog, Manitoba; Corey Locke, Houston; Brett MacLean, San Antonio; Mark Mancari, Portland; x-Chris Minard, W-B/Scranton; Cal O’Reilly, Milwaukee; Teddy Purcell, Manchester; Martin St. Pierre, Providence; Mike Santorelli, Milwaukee.

Defensemen: x-Johnny Boychuk, Providence; Kyle Cumiskey, Lake Erie; Cody Franson, Milwaukee; Bryan Helmer, Hershey (“C”); x-Derek Joslin, Worcester; Andrew MacDonald, Bridgeport; Brett Palin, Quad City; Danny Syvret, Philadelphia.

Goaltenders: Mike Brodeur, Rochester; x-Brian Elliott, Binghamton; Barry Brust, Houston.

Coaches: Bob Woods, Hershey; Mark French, Hershey.

PLANETUSA ALL-STARS

Forwards: Keith Aucoin, Hershey; x-Chris Bourque, Hershey; x-Nikita Filatov, Syracuse; x-Nathan Gerbe, Portland; Martins Karsums, Providence; Tim Kennedy, Portland; Petri Kontiola, Rockford; Drew Miller, Iowa; Joe Motzko, Chicago; Michael Ryan, Albany; Ryan Potulny, Springfield; Jeff Taffe, W-B/Scranton; Ryan Vesce, Worcester.

Defensemen: Rory Fitzpatrick, Rochester (“C”); Jonas Junland, Peoria; Mattias Karlsson, Binghamton; x-Jakub Kindl, Grand Rapids; Ben Lovejoy, W-B/Scranton; Bobby Sanguinetti, Hartford; Jaime Sifers, Toronto; x-Yannick Weber, Hamilton.

Goaltenders: Jeff Frazee, Lowell; Daniel Larsson, Grand Rapids; x-Cory Schneider, Manitoba.

Coaches: Don Granato, Chicago; Jason Christie, Chicago; Wendell Young, Chicago.

x–starters.