| Ryan Siedem | Fargo Force | USHL | R | D | 6’3″ | 193 | Harvard | 2019 | Madison, NJ | 2001 | 2020-2021: B 2019-2020: B- |
USHL: Fargo vs Chicago. Clark Cup Game 1, March 2021: Siedem is a smart, detailed defenseman for the Force who played a consistent sixty minutes of hockey for his team in this game. The Harvard University commit was solid in his own end throughout the night and shut down a couple of high quality scoring chances for the Steel. He has a great active stick and was effective deflecting shots up into the netting and out of play. His stick detail extended to puck battles as well, as Siedem closed space quickly on opponents and would stall the play, forcing a 50/50 battle. He was strong on his stick and used his big frame to win a majority of these battles he was in. The big defender was also solid in front of his net where he blocked at least three shots and was able to win space and let his goalie see pucks clearly. Siedem was especially effective on the penalty kill where he blocked shots, won pucks, and consistently got clears for his team. Overall, he is very solid defensively and uses his size and strength to his advantage, winning space and pucks in the tough areas of the ice. Grade: A
USHL: Fargo Force at Sioux City Musketeers, March 17, 2021: Siedem is a bigger, smooth skating defenseman who used his feet effectively on both sides of the puck. On defense he is positionally sound and kept his gaps tight. The Harvard commit/player has an active stick and shut down multiple rush opportunities against at or just before his defensive blueline. With the puck on his stick Siedem does an excellent job of avoiding opponents and making plays with his head up. He was elusive on the breakout throughout the night and often used his feet, wheeled the net, and started the rush attack up ice for his team. Through the neutral he showed good vision and made crisp passes, often making plays through seams or sticks to create offensive opportunities. In the offensive zone he did some of the same, twice activating from the blueline and creating a high quality scoring chance with his feet and vision. Grade: A
USHL: 2019 Top Prospects Game, January 2019: Smooth skater, moved the puck with ease and always had his head up. Strong stick when defending allowed him to break up plays around the net and in the corners. At the offensive blue line he did a good job getting pucks through traffic and to the net. Moved feet to create passing lanes. College: Harvard Grade: B
USHL: Central Illinois Flying Aces vs Madison Capitols, October 2018: Great D side positing, square to check, activates up ice joining the rush, poised with puck on his stick, strong vision and puck distribution. Uses net to his advantage in breakouts and escapes. Needs to work on getting pucks through from the point, getting head up on blue and seeing options, his support and hinging as well as decision making at times well moving pucks cross ice. College: Harvard Grade: C+
NTDP Evaluation Camp Rankings, March 2017: Siedem is a player who’s really come on during his freshman season at Avon Old Farms. He’s a smooth skater, with a tall, thin frame and ideal athleticism for a defenseman. He showed off his stride and poise with the puck here and made several smart, crisp breakout passes that led to rushes the other way. He also carried it end to end a few times when he had time and space and his ease up the ice with the puck catches the eye. He isn’t that physical yet and struggled defending in front of the net and against net drives off the wall/corner, but that will likely improve as he gets bigger and stronger. College: Boston College Grade: B+
The Case for: High upside prospect with size, skating and puck moving ability. He’s also a right shot which is severely lacking in this group. Has a younger brother who is a high end talent as well.
The Case against: He’s thin and doesn’t play a very aggressive defensive style. Might be tough task to play at the junior level next season.
NE Prep Championships, March 2017: Siedem has seen his stock shoot up in the past year from not being at the National Camp to being a fringe NTDP prospect. He’s a tall, thin prospect who plays a smart, subtle game. He wasn’t rushing the puck end to end here or making big hits in his own end, but he gets to pucks quickly on dump ins, has an accurate, well timed first pass, he reads the play well and can defend both in zone and off the rush. His best attribute is his skating ability, especially backwards, and smart puck management. He didn’t force passes here nor did he try and connect on homerun plays; he keeps his up ice, moves the puck efficiently and did a nice job walking the offensive blue line to pull opposing wingers out of position. He’s young, he’s raw and has some filling out to do but he’ll be a high pick in the USHL Draft and deservedly so based on his size, skating ability and upside. College: Boston College
Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic, December 2016: The 2001 was impressive here. He has great size and frame for a first year player. He picked up a nice assist on a drop pass to Kirwan in the first game and although he didn’t chip in on the offensive end again, he did some other things we noticed. Ryan made smart plays from his end with the puck. He was poised and played in all situations. On one penalty kill, he blocked three shots. His play in zone was calculated but needs some work and he had some issues going back under pressure for pucks. Overall, he has improved since we saw him this summer/fall and should have a great prep season. He is an excellent prospect with lots of upside.
East-West Invitational U16 Division , October 2016: Ryan has good size, can shoot and makes a nice pass from his end. He impressed with his ability to pass the puck with the appropriate pace and into the correct space. He didn’t just fire pucks up the ice. He also didn’t baby passes when players were open. He put his teammates into productive, safe spots. He played with his head up, defended well and played in key situations. He played a mature game for his age.
Mass Tier 1 Labor Day Showcase, September 2016: Ryan showed some things here but we need more. Rate is more indicative of our need to evaluate him again than his ability.