The Florida Panthers had golf legend Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear, beating the victory drum and firing up their fans for Game 5 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final series against the Edmonton Oilers. But the Oilers had a Golden Bear of their own at the game. Only this one was suited up and playing on the ice for the Oilers: Derek Ryan.
Unique Path Brought Edmonton Oilers Derek Ryan Here Against the Florida Panthers
Ryan has had a unique path to the NHL. Not to mention, Ryan is small in stature at 5’10” and 185 lbs. He has what could fairly be called less-than-outstanding physical skills. Furthermore, Ryan didn’t let those less than favourable physical traits get in his way through to the NHL from an unlikely career journey. He is a rare case of an American-born player choosing to come to play university in Canada in the (now) U Sports league. That was after having played junior hockey with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs. He then joined the University of Alberta Golden Bears, based in Edmonton, Alberta. Moreover, he is one of the NHL’s few Mormons, only managing to make it into the NHL at the mature age of 29 after also plying his trade in Austria and Sweden first.
Making the NHL from Canadian university hockey is much less common and a more arduous path than going through an American college program. Ryan has said in interviews that his real goal from playing for the Golden Bears was to take advantage of the WHL’s university scholarship program to become a pharmacist, not a professional hockey player. Nowadays, he finds himself in his third season with the Oilers, after playing three years each with the Calgary Flames and Carolina Hurricanes. His career regular season NHL totals are:
| GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 570 | 81 | 122 | 203 | 146 |
Derek Ryan’s “Golden” Years
Based in Edmonton, the Golden Bears men’s hockey team have won a record 16 national championships. They have appeared in 22 others, and won 56 conference championships. Playing for the Golden Bears from 2007-2011, Ryan was named team captain, All-Canadian and CIS Player of the Year his final season. He was also named to the league’s All-Academic Team.
Other Golden Bears Who Played for the Oilers
Besides Ryan, a couple of other players have played for both the Edmonton-based Golden Bears and Oilers. The most famous is Dr. Randy Gregg. He played three seasons for the Golden Bears from 1976-1979, two with the Japanese-based Kokudo Bunnies, and a whopping nine with the Oilers (including five Stanley Cups — 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990). He also played one final season with the Vancouver Canucks besides being a stalwart on Canadian National and Olympic Teams.
Defenceman Cory Cross played three seasons with the Golden Bears. He then went on to a 15-year NHL career, including three with the Oilers. In addition, Steve Carlyle played two seasons for the Golden Bears, and then four for the World Hockey Association Oilers.
More recently, Noah Philp has joined Ryan as someone who played major junior for the same Washington state team. He then went on to play for the Golden Bears. Based in Edmonton, the Oilers saw a player and signed him to play in the Oilers organization. Philp had a standout AHL 2022-23 rookie season with the Oilers AHL affiliate Bakersfield Condors. He then made the surprising choice to take a leave from hockey for personal reasons. Oilers commentator and insider Bob Stauffer has confirmed that Philp will be returning to the Oilers organization this coming year.
Other University of Alberta Golden Bears Who Played in the Show
Wade Campbell played two seasons for the Golden Bears, and then seven in the NHL for the Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins. Also, Dave Hindmarch played three seasons for the Golden Bears, and then four with the NHL’s Calgary Flames. Finally, Brent Severyn played two seasons for the Golden Bears. He followed this with eight years playing with the NHL’s Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and Dallas Stars.
Golden Bears Who Went on to Professional Coaching Success
The Golden Bears program also had great hockey minds that went on to successful professional careers. For starters, Dave King, whose main career was in the international arena, but also had consultant roles with the Oilers and Stars. Also, Clare Drake, who served as consultant to the Oilers and Stars. In addition, Billy Moore worked as an assistant coach with the Oilers and New York Rangers. Finally, Ian Herbers, a Golden Bears player who went to act as assistant coach for three years with the Oilers.
Who Will Emerge as the Real Lucky Golden Bear?
Every one of these Golden Bears, Ryan included, would feel honoured to be mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus. But which one was the game’s lucky charm, Nicklaus or Ryan? The Edmonton Oilers won the game 5-3 against the Florida Panthers after all. Will Ryan be joining Gregg as one of only two Golden Bears who won Stanley Cups with the Oilers? We will have to wait a game or two to find out.
Main photo: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
