Ryan McDonagh

Last updated

Ryan McDonagh
Ryan McDonagh Rangers.png
McDonagh with the New York Rangers in October 2011
Born (1989-06-13) June 13, 1989 (age 35)
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 213 lb (97 kg; 15 st 3 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams
Tampa Bay Lightning
New York Rangers
Barys Astana
Nashville Predators
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 12th overall, 2007
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 2010present

Ryan Patrick McDonagh (born June 13, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted in the first round, 12th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in 2007, he played college hockey for the Badgers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He also played for the New York Rangers, for whom he served as team captain from October 2014 until being traded to the Lightning in 2018. McDonagh won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021, before spending two seasons with the Nashville Predators.

Contents

McDonagh also competes internationally for the United States and was a member of the men's ice hockey team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Playing career

Amateur

McDonagh with the Badgers in February 2010 Ryan McDonough (4335956195).jpg
McDonagh with the Badgers in February 2010

McDonagh attended Cretin-Derham Hall High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where as a junior he helped lead his team to the school's first state hockey championship. The following season, he was awarded the 2007 Minnesota Mr. Hockey award, which is given annually to the top senior high school hockey player in the state. [1]

McDonagh was then drafted in the first round, 12th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens on June 22, 2007, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He also won a silver medal with the United States at the 2007 IIHF World U18 Championships. [2] [3]

Two years later, McDonagh represented the Americans at the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. [4]

On June 30, 2009, McDonagh was traded (along with Chris Higgins, Pavel Valentenko and Doug Janik) to the New York Rangers in exchange for Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Michael Busto. [5]

Professional

New York Rangers (2011–2018)

On July 6, 2010, McDonagh signed an entry-level contract with the Rangers, forgoing his senior season at Wisconsin and joining childhood friend and former Wisconsin teammate Derek Stepan in New York. [6] [7]

McDonagh in March 2011 slow to get up following an elbow to the head delivered by Penguins' Matt Cooke. Cooke was later suspended for 17 games. Ryan McDonagh elbow from Matt Cooke 2011-03-20.JPG
McDonagh in March 2011 slow to get up following an elbow to the head delivered by Penguins' Matt Cooke. Cooke was later suspended for 17 games.

After beginning the 2010–11 season with the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, he was promoted to the Rangers on January 3, 2011. [8] He played his first career NHL game on January 7, 2011, against the Dallas Stars. [9] [10] He then earned his first NHL point on an assist of a Brandon Prust goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on January 20. [11] [12] On March 20, McDonagh was the victim of an elbow to the head from Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke, who was subsequently suspended for the remainder of the regular season and the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. [13]

On April 9, 2011, McDonagh scored the game-winning goal, the first of his career, against the New Jersey Devils, earning the Rangers the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. [14]

McDonagh with the Rangers in March 2013. Ryan McDonagh (cropped1).jpg
McDonagh with the Rangers in March 2013.

As a result of the 2012–13 NHL lockout, McDonagh signed a contract with Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He became the first American NHL player to join the KHL as a result of the lockout. [15]

On July 8, 2013, McDonagh signed a new six-year, $28.2 million contract with New York. [16] He led all Rangers defensemen with 43 points in the 2013–14 season as the Rangers finished fifth in the Eastern Conference. [17] The team defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens en route to the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals against the Los Angeles Kings, where the Rangers lost the series 4–1. During the playoffs, McDonagh was tied for the lead amongst defensemen in assists (13) and ranked second in points (17). For his season's efforts, McDonagh was named Rangers' MVP and the recipient of the Players' Player Award, given to the Ranger "who best exemplifies what it means to be a team player". He became just the second Rangers defenseman to hold both awards after Brian Leetch did so in the 2002–03 season. [18]

On October 6, 2014, McDonagh was named the 27th captain in Rangers history, filling the vacancy left by Ryan Callahan the previous season, [19] and the first defenseman since Brian Leetch in 1997 to be named captain. Martin St. Louis, Marc Staal, Dan Girardi and Derek Stepan were named his alternates. McDonagh became the fourth-youngest Ranger captain and 11th defenseman to hold the honor. In his first season as captain, he led his team to the Presidents' Trophy and were ultimately eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals by the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games. [20] On May 30, 2015, it was revealed that McDonagh had played the final three games of the series with a broken foot. [21]

McDonagh continued his strong play and leadership into the 2015–16 season, his second as team captain. However, during a February 6, 2016, game against the Philadelphia Flyers, McDonagh suffered a concussion after getting punched by Flyers' forward Wayne Simmonds after McDonagh cross-checked Simmonds. [22] McDonagh missed eight games as a result, including a February 14 rematch between the two teams, during which Rangers' rookie defenseman Dylan McIlrath fought Simmonds. [23] Still feeling the effects of the concussion, McDonagh was scratched for two games of the Rangers first round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, which the Rangers ultimately lost in five games as the Penguins eventually went on to win the Stanley Cup.

Tampa Bay Lightning (2018–2022)

On February 26, 2018, McDonagh was traded (along with J. T. Miller) to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Libor Hájek, Brett Howden, Vladislav Namestnikov, a first-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, and a conditional second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. [24] The trade followed weeks of trade rumors fueled by a team letter to Rangers fans on February 8, 2018, announcing a rebuild. On April 18, 2018, McDonagh played in his 100th career NHL playoff game. [25]

On June 1, 2018, Ryan McDonagh signed a seven-year, $47.25 million contract extension with the Lightning. During the 2018–19 season, McDonagh would enjoy the best offensive season of his career, playing all 82 games and scoring 9 goals and 46 points during his first full-season in Tampa Bay, finishing 8th in Norris Trophy voting. However, McDonagh was held pointless in Tampa Bay's first-round upset loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In the 2019–20 season, McDonagh embraced his role, along with his defensive partner Erik Černák, as Tampa Bay's shutdown defensive pairing. During the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, McDonagh would return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 2014, while he was a member of the Rangers. This time, the Lightning emerged victorious, winning McDonagh his first Stanley Cup championship.

McDonagh continued his role as one of Tampa Bay's shutdown defenders in the COVID-delayed 2020–21 season. On June 8, 2021, McDonagh played in his 150th Stanley Cup playoff game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Lightning would go on to repeat as champions in 2021, winning McDonagh his second-consecutive championship. McDonagh led all skaters in plus–minus at +18 during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Nashville Predators (2022–2024)

On July 3, 2022, McDonagh was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Philippe Myers and forward Grant Mismash. [26]

Return to Tampa Bay (2024–present)

After two seasons in Nashville, McDonagh was re-acquired by the Lightning on May 21, 2024, in exchange for a second-round pick in 2025 and a seventh-round pick in 2024. [27]

Personal life

On July 19, 2013, McDonagh married long-time girlfriend Kaylee Keys at Our Lady of Victory Chapel in his hometown of Saint Paul, Minnesota. [28] Former National Football League quarterback Steve Walsh is his uncle. [29]

After being drafted, McDonagh attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison for three seasons, playing with their ice hockey team, before foregoing his final year to turn pro with the Rangers. In January 2021, McDonagh re-enrolled with the school, taking online classes to complete his final 18 credits and graduate with a degree in Personal Finance. [30] McDonagh studies on days he does not have NHL games and revealed he had always planned to return to school to graduate but core courses were not available remotely while he played professionally, and was able to attend again after courses he was interested in were migrated online during the school's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin. [30]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2004–05 Cretin-Derham Hall High School HS-MN 28121830
2005–06Cretin-Derham Hall High SchoolHS-MN3112284024
2006–07Cretin-Derham Hall High SchoolHS-MN2310233344
2007–08 University of Wisconsin WCHA 40571242
2008–09 University of WisconsinWCHA365111659
2009–10 University of WisconsinWCHA434141865
2010–11 Hartford Wolf Pack/CT Whale AHL 3817812
2010–11 New York Rangers NHL 401891450004
2011–12 New York RangersNHL8272532442004411
2012–13 Barys Astana KHL 100336
2012–13 New York RangersNHL474151922121346
2013–14 New York RangersNHL771429433625413178
2014–15 New York RangersNHL718253326193698
2015–16 New York RangersNHL73925342230000
2016–17 New York RangersNHL7763642371225712
2017–18 New York RangersNHL492242620
2017–18 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL142130170556
2018–19 Tampa Bay LightningNHL82937463440002
2019–20 Tampa Bay LightningNHL5011112192214510
2020–21 Tampa Bay LightningNHL504812142308814
2021–22 Tampa Bay LightningNHL7142226162314514
2022–23 Nashville Predators NHL712182022
2023–24 Nashville PredatorsNHL74329323160116
NHL totals92876313389357191125365101
Medal record
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2007 Finland

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2007 United States U18 Silver medal icon.svg70334
2009 United States WJC 5th60332
2011 United States WC 8th70112
2014 United States OG 4th61120
2016 United States WCH 7th32020
Junior totals130666
Senior totals163252

Awards and honors

AwardYear
USHS
Minnesota Mr. Hockey2007
College
All-WCHA Rookie Team 2007–08 [31]
All-WCHA Academic Team 2008–09, 2009–10
All-WCHA Second Team 2009–10 [31]
NHL
NHL All-Star Game 2016, 2017
Stanley Cup champion 2020, 2021 [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Rangers</span> National Hockey League team in New York City

The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at Madison Square Garden, an arena they share with the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). They are one of three NHL franchises located in the New York metropolitan area; the others being the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tampa Bay Lightning</span> National Hockey League team in Tampa, Florida

The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play their home games at Amalie Arena in Downtown Tampa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin St. Louis</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1975)

Martin St. Louis is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). An undrafted player, St. Louis played a total of 1,134 games, scoring 391 goals and 1,033 points in an NHL career that began with the Calgary Flames in 1998 and ended with the New York Rangers in 2015. He is best remembered for having played with the Tampa Bay Lightning and was a member of the Lightning's 2004 Stanley Cup championship team. St. Louis also briefly played with HC Lausanne of the Swiss National League A. He was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018; his first year of eligibility. St. Louis is widely considered one of the best undrafted players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Shero</span> American ice hockey player and executive

Rejean "Ray" Shero is an American former ice hockey executive who served as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils franchises.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keith Yandle</span> American ice hockey player (born 1986)

Keith Michael Yandle is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. Yandle was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes in the fourth round, 105th overall, at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He played 1,109 games for the Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, and Philadelphia Flyers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Callahan</span> American ice hockey player (born 1985)

Ryan Callahan is an American former professional ice hockey right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He currently serves as a studio and game analyst for the NHL on ESPN/ABC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Girardi</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1984)

Daniel Girardi is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Undrafted, Girardi played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning as a stay-at-home defenseman. He is currently a development coach for the Buffalo Sabres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Hedman</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 1990)

Victor Erik Olof Hedman is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hedman was selected second overall by the Lightning in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010–11 New York Rangers season</span> NHL hockey team season

The 2010–11 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 84th season of play and their 85th season overall. The Rangers celebrated 85 years since their establishment in 1926.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vladislav Namestnikov</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1992)

Vladislav Yevgenievich Namestnikov is a Russian professional ice hockey centre for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 27th overall by the Lightning in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, and has previously played in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings and Dallas Stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. T. Miller</span> American ice hockey player (born 1993)

Jonathan Tanner Miller is an American professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was selected by the Rangers in the first round at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. A versatile forward, Miller can play as a center or winger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Killorn</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1989)

Alexander Joseph Killorn is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Killorn won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

The 2014–15 New York Rangers season was the franchise's 88th season of play and their 89th season overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 2015 ice hockey championship series

The 2015 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2014–15 season, and the culmination of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Western Conference champion Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning four games to two to win their sixth championship in franchise history, and their third title in six seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brett Howden</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1998)

Brett Howden is a Canadian ice hockey centre for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). Howden was drafted 27th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Howden is a Stanley Cup champion, having won with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.

The 2018–19 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 27th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991. The team clinched a playoff spot on March 8, 2019, when the Montreal Canadiens lost 8–2 to the Anaheim Ducks. This season marked the first time that Tampa won the Presidents' Trophy in franchise history, winning the Atlantic Division for the second consecutive year as well, their fourth division title overall. They also became the second team in league history to win 62 games, matching the record set by the 1995–96 Detroit Red Wings, with the 2022–23 Boston Bruins later setting a new NHL record with their 63rd win on April 8, 2023. Their record-setting season ended abruptly when they became the first Presidents' Trophy winner to get swept in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Columbus Blue Jackets. This was also the first time since 2014 that the Lightning were eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs in the first round. In addition, this was the second time the Lightning were swept in the first round by a lower seeded team; the first time also being 2014, against the Canadiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 2020 ice hockey championship series

The 2020 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2019–20 season and the culmination of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs. This series was between the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the Western Conference champion Dallas Stars. The Lightning won the best-of-seven series, four games to two, for their second championship in franchise history. The Lightning had home-ice advantage in the series with the better regular season record. The series began on September 19 and concluded on September 28. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire series was played behind closed doors at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The pandemic resulted in the league suspending the regular season on March 12, 2020, and then scheduling a special 24-team playoff format to be held in two neutral "hub cities" that began on August 1. Thus it became the first Stanley Cup Finals to be played in the month of September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 2021 ice hockey championship series

The 2021 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2020–21 season and the culmination of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. The series was between the Montreal Canadiens and the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning won the best-of-seven series, four games to one, for their second consecutive and the third overall championship in franchise history. Tampa Bay had home-ice advantage in the series with the better regular season record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021–22 Tampa Bay Lightning season</span> National Hockey League season

The 2021–22 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 30th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991. The Lightning entered the season as the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Tampa Bay Lightning season</span> National Hockey League season

The 2022–23 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 31st season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on December 16, 1991. They entered this season as defending Eastern Conference champions. On April 1, 2023, the Lightning clinched a playoff spot after a win over the New York Islanders. However, their three-year run to the Stanley Cup Finals would come to an unfortunate end when they were eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.

References

  1. Minnesota Wild. "Cretin-Derham Hall's Ryan McDonagh Named Mr. Hockey". Minnesota Wild. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2007.
  2. "U.S. Roster for IIHF World Under-18 Championship Named". March 30, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  3. "2007 USA Player Statistics by Team" (PDF). IIHF . Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  4. "2009 USA Player Statistics by Team" (PDF). IIHF . Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  5. "Montreal Canadiens acquire Scott Gomez from New York Rangers". ESPN. June 30, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  6. "McDonagh truly a happy camper". New York Rangers. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  7. "McDonagh turning pro with Rangers". New York Rangers. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
  8. "McDonagh getting first shot at NHL". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  9. "Rangers vs. Stars". Yahoo!. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  10. "Rangers never say die in win at Dallas". New York Rangers. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  11. "Rangers Ward-ed off by a hot goalie". newyorkrangers.com. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  12. "Carolina 4, NY Rangers 1". Yahoo!. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
  13. NHL suspends Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Matt Cooke for blindside hit on Rangers' Ryan McDonagh
  14. "Devils 2-5 Rangers (Apr 9, 2011) Final Score".
  15. "Ranger McDonagh First American in KHL Lockout Switch". RIA Novosti. October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  16. "Ryan McDonagh re-signs with NY Rangers, inks six-year, $28.2 million deal". Daily News. New York. July 8, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  17. "Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh out 3-4 weeks". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  18. "Ryan McDonagh Named 2013-14 Team MVP & Winner Of Players' Player Award". National Hockey League. April 11, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  19. "McDonagh named captain of the New York Rangers". The Globe and Mail. October 7, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  20. "New York Rangers eliminated by Tampa Bay Lightning". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  21. "Rangers captain McDonagh had broken foot". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  22. "Ryan McDonagh out with concussion following punch from Wayne Simmonds". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. February 8, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  23. Peters, Chris (February 15, 2016). "WATCH: Rangers, Flyers open game with two fights in first minute". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  24. "Lightning acquire D Ryan McDonagh, F J.T. Miller from New York Rangers". National Hockey League. February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  25. Satriano, David (April 18, 2018). "Lightning add to series lead with Game 4 win against Devils". National Hockey League . Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  26. "McDonagh traded to Predators by Lightning". nhl.com. July 3, 2022.
  27. "McDonagh traded back to Lightning by Predators for two selections in NHL Draft". NHL.com. May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  28. "New York Rangers Hockey Player Marries High School Sweetheart in Minneapolis". Style Me Pretty.
  29. Botta, Christopher (February 4, 2012). "Rangers' Super Sunday Will Kick Off With a Game Before That Other Game". The New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  30. 1 2 Encina, Eduardo (February 3, 2021). "Rangers' Super Sunday Will Kick Off With a Game Before That Other Game". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  31. 1 2 National Hockey League (2010). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book/2011. Triumph Books. p. 316. ISBN   978-1-60078-422-4.
  32. "Lightning win Stanley Cup by smothering Stars in Game 6". NBC Sports. September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Minnesota Mr. Hockey
2006–07
Succeeded by
Preceded by Montreal Canadiens first-round draft pick
2007
Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by New York Rangers captain
201418
Succeeded by