Ryan Graves finding stability
Former Rocket, Islanders defenceman happy to be back with Avalanche after inking three-year deal
Ryan Graves received the ultimate vote of confidence recently from the Colorado Avalanche.
The 25-year-old defenceman from Yarmouth, N.S., signed a three-year contract with the NHL team after blowing past expectations in his first full NHL season in 2019-20.
"I'm really happy to be a part of the organization for three more years," said the former Charlottetown Islanders blue-liner. "It's even better with the kind of team we have now; I'm excited I get to be a part of that. I think we're going to be a really good team the next few years and I feel really fortunate."
Graves first made it into the Avalanche lineup as a call-up in 2018-19. He appeared in 26 games and had five points. He took a major step forward this past season when he played in all but one of Colorado's 70 regular season games, putting up 26 points and leading the NHL in plus-minus at plus40.
But unlike first-round picks and other blue-chip prospects, Graves didn't have anything handed to him. He first had to spend three seasons in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack and San Antonio Rampage, the farm teams for the New York Rangers, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2013. He never got the chance to dress for the Rangers so a 2018 trade to the Avalanche breathed new life into his career.
Graves played half the season with the AHL's Colorado Eagles before getting his break with the Avalanche. He was the Avs' nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy this year for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
"My journey's been different than a lot of guys so I definitely have an appreciation for what it means to play in this league and to be on a good team," he said. "It's something I'm not going to lose sight of. It's definitely a weight off my shoulders to know I'll be in the same spot for a few years. I'm someone that realizes how special it is and how lucky I am to get to play in this league. So for me, the work's just starting and I'm looking forward to having a few years with this group and having a chance to win."
And just because he appears to be settling in as an NHL regular and trending in the right direction, Graves knows nothing is guaranteed. He fully intends to keep improving himself and rounding out his game but will also stay committed to what got him to where is in the first place.
"For me, I think the most important thing is sticking to my strengths," he said. "We have enough guys on
“My journey’s been different than a lot of guys so I definitely have an appreciation for what it means to play in this league and to be on a good team.”
Ryan Graves
Colorado Avalanche defenceman
our roster that put on points – forwards and defencemen – so I just try to stick to my role of playing good defensive hockey, playing on the penalty kill and shutting down the other teams’ top guys.”
Graves is back in Prince Edward Island now where he has made his off-season home the past few years. He first made a connection with the Island as a junior with the P.E.I. Rocket and Charlottetown Islanders from 2011 to 2014 and recently returned there after a two-round playoff run with the Avalanche. He had a goal and two assists in his first 15 career postseason games, which were all in the Edmonton bubble.
“We were fortunate to get in there and even play,” Graves said. “Obviously you miss your family and you miss being home but we all felt really lucky just to be playing and competing and having someone awarded the Stanley Cup.”
As unconventional as all of the circumstances of the bubble were, it’s just as unusual for players like Graves to be doing their off-season training while the temperature are dropping and the leaves are changing colours.
Going all the way back to his minor hockey days, this is usually when his new season launches every year and hockey consumes most of his time.
“It’s definitely different,” he said.
“We’re training in the gym and the lifestyle has changed but we’re getting pretty used to dealing with different ways of doing things. And honestly, it’s been kind of nice to be home. I haven’t seen fall here in a long time and I got to have turkey dinner with some family. Those are things I hadn’t experienced in a while so that part of it has been pretty good.”