Blackhawks’ Future Friday: Ryan Stanton

Picture courtesy: www.thehockeyhouse.net

• Ryan Stanton

2012-13 AHL Stats

Games: 73

Goals: 3

Assists: 22

Points: 25

PIM: 126

Drafted: Undrafted, signed to a three-year contract in 2010 and re-signed to a two-year contract in 2013.

Prospect Profile: Ryan Stanton is a well-rounded, dependable defenseman, making him a great tool in any team’s arsenal. While not exceptional at any particular aspect of the game, Stanton brings a good combination of defensive responsibility, as well as offensive production, which when combined with good consistency, make him a valuable asset.

Stanton has a solid knowledge of the game, and takes care of his own end of the ice before anything else. He does so with grit, but not overwhelming physicality; using good fundamentals to gain control. Once the puck is in his possession, he is patient, not rushing a play by making a bad pass. He has the ability to skate the puck in on his own, or start the rush with a good first pass. When in the offensive zone, Stanton remains an option by moving his feet continuously, and is not afraid to take a shot to generate a rebound.

Road To The NHL: Stanton definitely took the road less traveled, but it brought him to the Blackhawks just the same. The native of St. Albert, Alberta, spent all of his minor hockey years there, eventually moving one province over to play with the Moose Jaw Warriors. As a seventeen-year old, Stanton played limited minutes, and finished the season with eight points. He stepped up his game in 2008 as an 18 year old, spending time on both special teams, ending up with a +11 rating and 20 points.

Stanton went to the NHL Draft, but left still a free agent. He went back to Moose Jaw in 2008-09 and showed his dependability. Despite only winning 19 games, Stanton dressed in all but three for the Warriors, scoring five goals and adding 34 assists, but going a dismal -40 as the Warriors were the league’s worst team. Stanton was still un-drafted heading into his final season, and made his mark, scoring 40 points in 59 games, and leading the Warriors to the playoffs. He put up six assists in seven games, as he ended his WHL career with a first-round elimination. He signed with the Blackhawks, and made his pro debut, a two-game stint that saw him get his first pro assist.

Stanton continued to improve his game, spending three years with the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate. in 2011, after ending his rookie season at +9, with 17 points in 73 games, he entered his sophomore season. Stanton was a huge defensive asset, but still managed to score 17 points, while dressing in every game for the Hogs. He kept his great consistency going in 2012-13, scoring his highest point total as a pro with 25, and appeared in all but three contests. He also made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks, playing two games.

Promotion Probability: 3/10

Stanton still needs some fine tuning before Blackhawks’ fans will see him every night, but he is on the right track. Named the IceHogs Most Improved Player, Stanton’s hard work will get him to the NHL level. As there is no need for defenseman on the ‘Hawks, Stanton can mature, and be ready to play that role when the time comes. With aging defensemen Michal Roszival and Sheldon Brookbank expected to limit their games, Stanton may be a call-up for a game or two at a time.

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