Introduction
Ryan Sproul (born January 13, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Sproul was drafted 55th overall by the Red Wings in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing career
Junior
During the 2011–12 OHL season, Sproul was the third-leading scorer for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and was third amongst all OHL defensemen with 54 points. Sproul recorded 23 goals and 31 assists in 61 games for the Greyhounds.
During the 2012–13 OHL season, Sproul was the Greyhounds second-leading scorer, and lead all OHL defensemen with 66 points. Sproul recorded 20 goals and 46 assists in 50 games. Sproul was rewarded for his outstanding play during the season by being named to the OHL's First All-Star Team. Sproul was awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the most outstanding defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League.
Professional
On March 25, 2012, the Detroit Red Wings signed Sproul to a three-year entry-level contract.
After the Greyhounds were eliminated from the playoffs, Sproul joined the Grand Rapids Griffins for two regular-season games, making his AHL debut on April 20, 2013, in a game against the Lake Erie Monsters.
During the 2013–14 season, in his first full season with the Griffins, Sproul was the second-highest scoring defenseman on the team, recording 11 goals and 21 assists in 72 games. On April 13, 2014, Sproul made his NHL debut for the Detroit Red Wings in a game against the St. Louis Blues.
On September 23, 2016, the Red Wings re-signed Sproul as a restricted free agent to a two-year contract.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2009–10 | Vaughan Vipers | OJHL | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Bramalea Blues | OJHL | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Vaughan Vipers | OJHL | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | 61 | 14 | 19 | 33 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | 61 | 23 | 31 | 54 | 53 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds | OHL | 50 | 20 | 46 | 66 | 45 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 72 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 49 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2013–14 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 66 | 5 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16 | Grand Rapids Griffins | AHL | 75 | 12 | 23 | 35 | 22 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 8 | ||
| NHL totals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
Awards and honors
| Honours | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| OHL Third All-Star Team | 2011–12 | |
| OHL First All-Star Team | 2012–13 | |
| OHL Defenceman of the Year | 2012–13 | |
| CHL Defenceman of the Year | 2012–13 | |
| AHL All-Rookie Team | 2013–14 |