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 Spokane Chiefs

Former Chief Ryan Named Canada West MVP

March 11, 2011 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Former Chief and Spokane native Derek Ryan was named Canada West University Hockey Most Valuable Player and captured the 2010-11 Dave "Sweeney" Schriner Scoring Trophy this season, his fourth with the University of Alberta Golden Bears. Ryan tallied 17 goals, 30 assists and 47 points in 28 conference games. He recorded the most points by a Canada West player since 2005-06, while the 24-year-old led CW in goals, hat tricks (2) and was second in assists and placed third in CIS scoring.

The Shadle Park High School graduate spent three full seasons in a Spokane jersey, his first in 2004-05. He was named the WHL's Western Conference Rookie of the Year with 14 goals, 32 assists and 46 points. Ryan is one of five Chiefs in franchise history to lead the Chiefs in scoring in two separate seasons (2005-06 and 2006-07). He is also a two-time winner of the franchise's Ken Rabel Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year honor. On December 28th, 2006 Ryan set a franchise record by scoring two goals in 16 seconds against the Prince George Cougars. In his career as a Chief, Ryan played 216 of a possible 217 games.

His former Chief and current Golden Bear teammate Chad Klassen was also named as a Canada West First Team All-Star, the third straight year he made the list. Klassen played five seasons in Spokane, scoring 96 goals and 252 points, 12th in franchise history. He scored a career high 91 points in 2003-04.

The Alberta Golden Bears, featuring Ryan, Klassen and former Chief J.P. Szaszkiewicz, will play in the Canada West championship against the Calgary Dinos with former Chiefs Brett Bartman and Jevon Desautels in Edmonton this weekend. Both teams have qualified for the University Cup.


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