| Ryan McGuire | Penticton Vees | BCHL | R | F | 6’2″ | 185 | Colgate | 2021 | Saint-Agathe-des-Monts, QC | 2002 | 2020-2021: C+ |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, December 2020: Ryan is a player I felt should have been drafted in the 2020 NHL Draft, and I still feel that way now. He plays a pro styled game and wins battles all over the ice. He consistently dominates the face-off circle and his release is at a professional level now. Obviously his first “year” of Junior hockey has not gone the way anyone has expected, but Ryan is still a player we should be keeping track of. I feel his mentality and familiarity with the pro game is a huge asset. In my opinion Ryan is going to go to Colgate and in a few years be a legit college free agent signing. He’s 6’2″ and can skate. He’ll be ready to play pro at around 205 pounds and he will still have the competitive burning desire to prove people wrong. I think we should be watching Ryan closely.
New England Prep Players on NZ’s 2020 NHL Draft Watch List, March 2020: Ryan plays a smart 2 way game. His skating and quickness are better than he’s given credit for. Fights through contact to make plays. He can RIP the puck off of any type of pass.. his 1 timer is a cannon. Looks like he’s grown… looks closer to 6’2″.
Canadian Director of Scouting for Neutral Zone Marlin Muylaert, February 2020: A player everyone hates to play against. Ryan shows high compete and engages physically on every shift. He uses his speed to draw penalties and his willingness to get to the dirty areas of the ice is a real asset. McGuire was also able to raise his level of play in never seeming to get tired or be outworked. In my view, one of very few New England Prep players who consistently threatened the defense with his speed and ability to get to the net.
February NHL Draft Rankings, February 2020: Ryan was ranked #177 with a ‘C+’ NHL Grade in Neutral Zone’s February rankings.
Belmont Hill at Thayer Academy (Ian Moran’s notes), January 2020: A right shot center/winger with straight line speed who plays with an edge. Ryan is able to beat defenders off the rush with his speed and quickness, but also uses his pace to manipulate gaps into his favor. He has the ability to catch opponents with their head down and deliver open ice hits or to create turnovers. His pace and first step allow him to generate chances for himself and his linemates or the activating defenseman. Ryan plays with an edge and at times will run out of position to play the man, but this is something that is correctable as he continues to develop his defensive decision making. Ryan will be fun to watch develop. Grade: A-
Nichols-Belmont Hill Holiday Tournament, January 2020: (Internal scouting notes added): McGuire had one of the standout performances at this tournament. He was special to watch all weekend and did well to showcase himself as a real player. He consistently created off the rush and all he needed was a second to explode with the puck and he was off to the races. He did well handling passes in his feet and continuing his momentum into the offensive zone on line rushes or neutral zone transition. He possesses the skill to take defenders wide and beat them with his power and edge work. His speed is an asset that he uses well in transition or forcing the play while on the penalty kill. He can slip past defenders and drive the net hard, all while maintaining possession of the puck and keeping his eyes up looking for a late developing play. We really liked his quick release shot and his one timer is a bullet that is at the NHL level right now. He was able to settle bouncing passes with ease and snap away a shot quickly making the goalie make saves. He plays in all situations and was noticeable in a very positive way on almost every shift. He is a high IQ forward who sees the game very well. A player who really irritates the other team. He excelled at face-offs. Tournament Grade: A
New England Prep Pre-Season Scouting Report – Ryan McGuire, December 2019: You can tell by watching Ryan that he has spent a lot of time around professionals and has really absorbed how they approach the game. He is very aggressive as an F1 on the fore-check while understanding that his job is to cut the ice in half, eliminate options and create a bit a of chaos. But his mental game is on display as he reads the fore-check as an F2 or F3. He quickly recognizes if the opposing defenseman is on his forehand or backhand and has the patience or aggression needed to play at higher levels. Aggression needed, Ryan is going to take away the opposition’s time and space finish his check. Patience is the read, he will play with his stick on the ice and take the correct angle to slow the attack while limiting options so his line mates can force back pressure. In the defensive zone, Ryan provides reliable low support as a center. He maintains defensive side positioning and does not get trapped along the wall. Ryan has quick feet and is able to contain with his body strength or quick stick and he does an excellent job of boxing out while making sure the shooting lanes are clear. Long term we feel Ryan will be able to play all three forward positions, but his ability to win face-offs will be a huge asset as he continues to grow and develop his overall game. Lastly, Ryan has a bullet. He shoots with his feet moving, through screens and has the physical ability to adjust his hands quickly while receiving a pass so that he can still fire it without needing the extra time to dust it off. He also has a professional one timer right now. He does not need a perfect pass to rip it and he not only hits the net, he puts the puck where he wants it. We feel Ryan is a very intriguing long term National League prospect. He has good feet and agility, competitiveness and is very willing to be play on the edge, all the while his back ground around the game has given him a head start as to what the professional game is all about. We feel he is a solid ‘C” NHL prospect who has the potential to be a very effective professional after finishing his college career at Colgate.
Ryan McGuire Commits to Colgate, October 2019: Staying in the ECAC, Colgate added 3.75-star forward Ryan McGuire for 2021. McGuire is coming off a 29-point season for Belmont Hill last season and will be a USHL rookie with the Madison Capitals this season. “He is a great skater who uses his edges really well,” said our scouts. “McGuire possesses a great deal of speed and can maneuver around defenders with ease. He wants the puck on his stick and skates confidently when he has it. He always has his head up surveying the ice for options. He has great hands and likes to show them off throughout the game. He has a good shot and can pick corners. McGuire has plenty of upside to tap into and will be a player to follow in the USHL this coming season as the competition takes a step up.”
ECC Labor Day 18U Red Division, September 2019: McGuire really showcased his offensive ability at ECC. He has good size standing at 6’1. He is a great skater who uses his edges really well. McGuire possesses a great deal of speed and can maneuver around defenders with ease. He wants the puck on his stick and skates confidently when he has it. He always has his head up surveying the ice for options. He has great hands and likes to show them off throughout the game. He has a good shot and can pick corners. McGuire has plenty of upside to tap into and will be a player to follow in the USHL this coming season as the competition takes a step up. Grade: B+
Junior Chowder Cup 2001 Division, August 2017: Listed at 5’7”, 140lbs we had the following in our notes “tough, attacks the puck in all three zones, has the hands to collect pucks in traffic, win battles in traffic and willing to go to tough areas.” We liked his game a lot. A July 2002 in this division, he stood out for his grit and effort. That’s a great place to start and build out. We didn’t get a great sense of his play in space but he should have an impact in prep hockey as he heads to Belmont Hill. New addition to our profiles.