Ryan Swanson (HF) commits to Army

SuperStar · Post by **SuperStar** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 8:07 am

Big congrats to Ryan - He has been underrated for a long time. Hard work pays off.. Nice job.

He led the State in scoring for Defensemen this season and has a tender from Brookings in the NAHL.

BP · Post by BP » Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:06 am

Saw him play for the first time this year. Really liked him. Just curious why he didn't play juniors for a bit and see what else he could get, unless he really wants to go in the military? It's a tough road our there, and the 4 years after. But congrats to him, very good player.

Clarkkent · Post by **Clarkkent** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:17 pm

As the highest scoring D in AA he had to get more offers??

SuperStar · Post by **SuperStar** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 8:02 am

I am not sure on any other offers - I will have to check and see about that. I know the kid is a 4.0 student and very bright...Either way, If he does graduate from West Point - Not a bad thing to have on your resume..

edgeUcated · Post by **edgeUcated** » Wed Apr 30, 2014 9:48 pm

Clarkkent wrote:As the highest scoring D in AA he had to get more offers??

Might have been highest scoring D but strength of schedule did not help his visibility/recruit-ability - with the likes of Wright County 13-1 rip wins against below avg A level teams. Not sure the avg pt total against AA opponents. No doubt a good player - would probably had more D1 exposure with an EP or Edina Team. Congrats to him tho West Point will get him farther in life anyway! Must be a great student - they are very selective.

Nuts&Bolts · Post by **Nuts&Bolts** » Fri May 02, 2014 10:41 am

Strong player at both ends of the ice that is often getting lost with "top talent" D men being recruited. Looks to be a good student and I commend him for choosing this path of service regardless if he had no other offers yet. Air Force has also picked up some very solid players but I get it's a numbers game with the commitment that locks in after the sophomore year at these institution.

hockey_is_a_choice · Post by **hockey_is_a_choice** » Sat May 03, 2014 9:55 am

As a parent whose son will graduate this month from a military college and accept his commission, I could not be more proud of my son. That said, this is NOT a path for everyone. Aside from the post-graduation active duty military commitment, the first year at these schools is intense. A common saying among the older cadets is: "The mission is attrition." Mix in hockey and academics and the plebe year is brutal. Stick it out and you have a first-rate education from one of the best academic institutions in the country and one of the finest leadership schools in the world. To borrow the writer Pat Conroy's words, a graduate of these schools earns the right to say, "I wear the ring."

Congratulations, Ryan. Army Strong.

SuperStar · Post by **SuperStar** » Mon Jul 07, 2014 11:28 am

Ryan will be going to the BCHL this fall instead of the NA. He will be playing for the Trail Smokeeaters in Trail, BC.

Good news for Ryan