Ryan Kesler – The ‘X’ Factor

We’ve all seen him play. We all know the type of energy and passion he brings to every shift when he’s on the ice. But what makes Ryan Kesler different? Why is it so hard to shut him down? During round two of the 2011 playoffs against the Nashville Predators we saw just what type of player he is. I think Barry Trotz, Nashville’s head coach, said it best when he told Ryan Kesler in handshake alley at the end of the Canucks game 6 win that they couldn’t stop him.
Ryan started skating around the age of 4, and enrolled in a hockey school every summer in the small Michigan town of Livonia until he was seventeen. His story is a little different than most NHL players. After working hard and finally getting a chance to play in the OHL with the Brampton Battalion, he chose to play in a US National Development Program. After a couple seasons there, he played on a scholarship at the University of Wisconsin, and won several awards in the NCAA, and in 2003 he entered the NHL entry draft. The Canucks chose Ryan 23rd overall, in 2003.
The Canucks saw the potential right away in the young centreman, and signed him to a 3-year deal worth nearly $2.5Million dollars.
After bouncing back and forth between the Canucks and their affiliate team, The Manitoba Moose, Kesler finally played a full season in 2005-06, once the NHL resumed games after the lockout. After his first full season he became a restricted free agent, and in what was a controversial move, signed an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers for $1.9mil. GM’s around the league had major issues with this move, because of the long term effect this could have on future signings of free agents. The Canucks made the right decision and matched the offer sheet, locking him up for the next season. Kesler was involved with another controversial contract negation in the 2010 season, when he signed with Canucks yet again, on a $30mil contract over the course of 6 years. The controversy came when he said he agreed, along with teammate Alex Burrows, to sign for “below market value” to help develop a winning team. It seems now that these remarks were perhaps a little more fore-shadowing than some would have thought at the time.
Ryan Kesler is a battler. This has helped him win at almost every level of the game. While representing the United States of America he won gold in 2002 at the World U18 Championships, gold at the 2004 World Junior’s, and silver in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Kesler is currently serving as an Alternate captain with the Canucks, but is definitely showing that he can carry the team on his back. With the lack of performance from the Sedins thus far in the playoffs, he has proven that he is worth every penny of this $5mil/year pay check. At the time of writing this he is currently the leading scorer in the 2011 playoffs with 15 points. Not only did he play a key role in fending off the Nashville Predators in the second round, but he more than made his presence known in round 1 against arch-rivals the Chicago Blackhawks. His ability to keep Chicago Blackhawk captain, Jonathan Toews, off the score sheet in nearly every minute of 7 games, and his relentless two-way play, helped the Canucks finally rid themselves of the pesky Blackhawks.
If I were a betting man I would say he is not done there. With 2011 being the best season in Canucks history, and Ryan being a large part of their success, you can bet he is going to put every ounce of heart and soul into every game as the Canucks continue on their road to hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup. Ryan’s play has sparked rumours of MVP awards, and he has to be a consideration based on his play. As we get ready to face-off against either the Detroit Red Wings or the San Jose Sharks, we all raise a glass to one of the most exciting and fun players currently playing in the NHL. Ryan Kesler is showing that he has the “X Factor”, and whether it is The Wings, or the Sharks that we battle in round 3, you better believe he will be out to prove it once again.

Here’s to hoping the next cup we raise is The Stanley Cup!

We are all Canucks!

-Kevin Luck-