Joakim Ryan Bio
Joakim Ryan (born June 17, 1993) is an American-Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract with the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round, 198th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Ryan has built his career as a reliable, depth defenseman at the professional level.
Over the course of his career, Ryan has suited up for the San Jose Sharks, the Los Angeles Kings, the Carolina Hurricanes, the Malmö Redhawks of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), and the Chicago Wolves. A graduate of Cornell University, he is recognized for his steady two-way play and his ability to transition between North American and European professional leagues.
Early Life and Background
Joakim Ryan was born on June 17, 1993, in Rumson, New Jersey. He is the son of Bill Ryan, a former lacrosse player at the University of New Hampshire, and Catarina Lindqvist, a former professional tennis player from Sweden. Raised in a deeply athletic household, Ryan grew up surrounded by competitive sports and developed a passion for athletics from an early age.
From 2003 to 2005, Ryan and his family spent two years living in Sweden, where he became a top-ranked junior tennis player. During his time abroad, he developed the footwork, hand-eye coordination, and discipline that would later shape his approach to hockey. Returning to the United States, Ryan attended Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey, where he starred in both ice hockey and lacrosse.
At Christian Brothers Academy, Ryan emerged as a standout lacrosse player, finishing his career with 153 goals and 222 points. At the time of his graduation, those totals placed him second and fifth on the school’s all-time lists, respectively. He also played high school hockey for the school, building the foundation that would lead him to a collegiate career and eventual professional opportunity.
Path to Hockey
Following high school, Ryan committed to Cornell University, where he joined the NCAA Division I Cornell Big Red men’s ice hockey team. Competing in the ECAC Hockey conference, Ryan developed into a dependable two-way defenseman over four collegiate seasons. His strongest year came during his junior campaign, when his outstanding play earned him a selection to the 2013–14 All-Ivy League First Team.
Ryan’s development at Cornell caught the attention of National Hockey League scouts. Selected 198th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, he balanced his remaining collegiate development with the promise of a future professional opportunity. At the conclusion of his senior season, he signed an entry-level contract with the Sharks on March 26, 2015, and was assigned to the Worcester Sharks of the AHL to finish the 2014–15 campaign.
Joakim Ryan Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Joakim Ryan began his professional career in the AHL with the Worcester Sharks, working to refine the defensive details that would define his game. Over his first two professional seasons, he impressed the San Jose organization with his poise, his ability to move the puck, and his reliability in his own zone.
On June 19, 2017, the Sharks rewarded Ryan’s progress with a two-year contract extension, signaling that he was firmly in the team’s defensive plans. He continued his development in the AHL while occasionally receiving opportunities with the parent club.
San Jose Sharks Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Ryan was recalled from the AHL on December 22, 2017, and made an immediate impact at the NHL level. He scored his first two NHL goals on February 10, 2018, in a 6–4 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, marking a defining moment in his North American career. His performance down the stretch helped him cement a regular role on the Sharks’ blue line.
Ryan made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut on May 2, 2018, in a 4–0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Although the Sharks ultimately fell to Vegas in six games, the postseason appearance confirmed Ryan’s standing as a trusted NHL defenseman and provided him with valuable playoff experience.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2019–2020)
On July 1, 2019, Ryan signed a one-year contract worth $725,000 with the Los Angeles Kings as a free agent. Used primarily in a depth defensive role, he appeared in 35 games during the 2019–20 season, scoring one goal and adding four assists while providing steady minutes on the back end.
After his lone season in Los Angeles, Ryan once again became an unrestricted free agent, setting the stage for the next chapter of his career.
Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Wolves (2020–2021)
During the COVID-19 adjusted off-season, Ryan signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on October 12, 2020. Throughout the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, he was part of the club’s extended roster on the taxi squad before being assigned to the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.
After four games with the Wolves, Ryan was recalled to Carolina and made his debut with the Hurricanes on April 22, 2021, against the Florida Panthers. He finished the season having played four games with the Hurricanes, going scoreless.
Malmö Redhawks Era (2021–2024)
On June 11, 2021, Ryan opted to return to his family’s roots in Sweden, signing with Malmö Redhawks of the SHL. The move allowed him to reconnect with a country he had lived in during his childhood and to take on an expanded role in a top European league.
Across three seasons with Malmö, Ryan served as a steady veteran presence, contributing reliably on the blue line. His time in Sweden broadened his tactical understanding of the game and reinforced his reputation as a dependable, professional defenseman.
Carolina Hurricanes Return (2024–Present)
On July 14, 2024, Ryan signed a one-year, two-way contract to return to the Carolina Hurricanes organization for the 2024–25 season. He joined the Chicago Wolves of the AHL as part of the Hurricanes’ developmental pipeline and resumed his role as a depth defenseman capable of stepping into the NHL lineup when needed.
Driving Style and Strengths
Joakim Ryan is recognized as a steady, positionally sound defenseman who excels in a depth role. He pairs a calm approach with reliable defensive-zone coverage, sound puck movement, and the versatility to play on either side of the blue line. His experience in both the AHL and the SHL has made him an adaptable professional, comfortable logging regular shifts or stepping in when injuries arise.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ryan’s most celebrated NHL moments came during his time with the San Jose Sharks, including his first two NHL goals against the Edmonton Oilers on February 10, 2018, and his Stanley Cup playoffs debut against the Vegas Golden Knights in 2018. His journey from a seventh-round draft pick to an established professional defenseman across two continents stands as a defining storyline of his career.
Joakim Ryan Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Joakim Ryan comes from a deeply athletic family. His mother, Catarina Lindqvist, is a former professional tennis player from Sweden, while his father, Bill Ryan, played lacrosse at the University of New Hampshire. Growing up, Ryan was a devoted New York Rangers fan, an early sign of his lifelong love for hockey.
His family’s connection to Sweden played a meaningful role in his personal and professional development. The two years he spent living in Sweden from 2003 to 2005 helped shape his worldview and ultimately contributed to his decision to play for Malmö Redhawks later in his career.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Ryan is known as a private individual whose athletic background has shaped much of his identity. A standout high school lacrosse player as well as a competitive tennis player in his youth, he carries the discipline of multiple sports into his professional hockey career. His international upbringing, split between New Jersey and Sweden, has given him a unique perspective that continues to influence his approach to the game.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 calendar year, Joakim Ryan remains an unrestricted free agent after his second stint with the Carolina Hurricanes organization. His most recent on-ice action came with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, where he served as a steady depth option within the Hurricanes’ developmental system.
Looking ahead, Ryan’s experience as a reliable, two-way defenseman capable of contributing in both the AHL and the NHL makes him an attractive option for teams seeking depth on the blue line. Whether he pursues another opportunity in North America or considers a return to European hockey, his versatile résumé ensures he remains a valued professional on the open market.