Updated 11/8/2020
| Ryan Alexander | Dubuque Fighting Saints | USHL | L | F | 5’10” | 181 | Arizona State | 2021 | Toronto, ON | 2002 | 2020-2021: C+ |
Dubuque Fighting Saints vs Muskegon Lumberjacks, November 2020 (Ian Moran): This was Ryan’s first game in the USHL and I felt he continued to build on last year’s OJHL season by looking like a dominant five on five player. He used his speed to be very disruptive on both the forecheck and the penalty kill. In all three zone he consistently won 50/50 puck battles and was excellent in transition. Ryan’s strength and poise while cycling the puck were evident on every shift and although he did not end up on the score sheet, he was a major factor in his line mate Connor Kurth getting a hat trick. Ryan’s anticipation and quick stick allowed him to generate turnovers which lead two partial breakaways. He played in straight lines, finishing his checks without taking himself out of the play and I feel that Ryan has legitimate National League potential after he adds strength while at ASU because his elite speed and two way dependability are something that professional coaches crave.
February 2020 – Alexander is arguably the best NHL and NCAA prospect in the OJHL this season; a well-rounded 200ft forward who can adjust his style given the situation. He can play physical, hard on the puck, finish his checks and be a pest to play against. He can also control the puck, lead rushes up the ice, create scoring chances with his passing ability and release and get off checks and attack the net. He’s poised, he’s balanced and can wait that extra second for a lane to open and then exploit the seams with his passing and shooting. Love his compete level; he never quits on the play, he is relentless on puck pursuits and plays tough in his own end. Tough to play against both from a skill and grit perspective. A projected mid to late round NHL pick but he’s got the versatility to be an excellent college hockey player. Grade: A College: Arizona State
World Junior A Challenge Update: (5’10”, 181, St. Michael’s Buzzers, 06/17/2002, Arizona State)- Alexander got better as the tournament went on for Team Canada East, finishing with 3 goals and 1 assist overall. His work ethic was present throughout the tournament, as was his emotion. He gave it everything in each game, working hard on the forecheck, getting into dirty areas, and drawing penalties. He scored on a nice deflection against the Czech Republic in the prelims. Then he had an assist on East’s only goal in the Semi’s against the USA, and netted a goal in the shootout to send them to the Gold Medal game against Russia. In that match he scored to tie it up at 1 with just over a minute to go in regulation, sending the game to Overtime to keep Canada East alive. The Arizona State commit for next Fall had an impressive run of games and went home with Silver. Grade: A
December 2019 – Ryan was one of the only players on his team who got better as the game got closer to the end. He had a very strong final period using his skill set and aggressiveness with the puck to try and will the comeback victory for his team. He unfortunately came up short in that regard, however it wasn’t for lack of trying as he managed to create more than enough scoring opportunities to do so. He is very skilled with the puck, possessing a soft set of hands and a high level of confidence. When applied with pressure, Ryan shows no panic and is able to stay calm while trying to look for the right play to make on the ice. He is a heads up player with the puck on his stick, showing a high hockey IQ. While his straight-line speed could see improvement, his agility and ability to put separation on the opposition in his first few steps allows him to find space and time for himself with the puck. Grade: A-
From October of 2019 – -Ryan was a dominant minor midget on the Toronto Marlies team and a high draft choice into the OHL who college committed to Arizona. He is a high upside 200 foot player who can do it all. He has great speed, controls his speed and knows when to go or slow, quick edges and direction change. Ryan can play in open ice and he can play in traffic with and without the puck. First in on the forecheck, high compete level and never quits battling for pucks. When he gets chances, he has a quick dangerous snap shot and can put pucks in the net. And most noticeable when the puck turns over is how quickly he hustle back to help his defenseman and find his check.
From November of 2018 – Ryan made a couple a strong plays early in the game that showed a lot of the skills that he can bring as a player. On both of them, he was able to power his way to the slot area while stick handling around the pressure to give himself a good shooting opportunity in close to the net. He was hit hard on both plays but was able to get right back up, and he continued to show that tenacity and fearlessness around the net throughout the game. He is strong on his edges and uses his body-positioning well to shield the puck from the opposition. His aggression with the puck allows him to create offensive chances out of practically nothing.
From October of 2017 – Ryan continued to play a 200 foot game and has the speed to make plays along with supporting teammates down low in his end. Alexander showed good wide speed and nice smooth hands in tight and was a threat 5 on 5, shorthanded and on the powerplay. He showed great top end speed accelerates quickly.