Spark re-ignited

Daniel Ryder returns to Calgary Flames this month by agreeing to attend their summer development camp

Talk about a Canada Day present! Bonavista native Michael Ryder became free from the shackles of the Montreal Canadiens on that day, and less than 12 hours later, he agreed to join his former coach for at least three years.

The 28-year-old right winger signed a three-year $12 million contract to join coach Claude Julien and the Boston Bruins on the first day of NHL free agency. That’s $4 million a season.

Guaranteed!.

This deal comes on the heels of Ryder’s worst season in the National Hockey League, one in which he recorded just 14 goals, after having seasons of 25, 30 and 30. Last year, Michael Ryder made $2.95 million. After his worst season statistically, he receives a raise of more than one million a season … and for three years.

Go figure.

For the sharp-shooting winger, it’s a deal made in heaven. First of all, it reunites him with the coach who has the most faith in him, Julien. Ryder and Julien have been together since junior hockey, through the minors and on to the NHL. If anybody in the NHL knows Michael Ryder, it’s Claude Julien.

Ryder’s contract sent shockwaves through the league. Respected hockey experts were taken aback by the value and length of the deal, especially after last season’s debacle in Montreal.

But the deal may have had at least one positive aspect to it. It may have actually shocked another player into re-evaluating his career.

Last fall, Michael Ryder’s younger brother Daniel abruptly left the Calgary Flames organization after just six games with the American Hockey League’s Quad City Flames. A third round NHL draft pick and a former winner of the Wayne Gretzky Trophy as the MVP of the Ontario Hockey League’s playoffs, Daniel Ryder had, for some reason, lost his desire for the game, or so it appeared.

The younger Ryder returned home to seclusion in Bonavista during the fall — fresh into his professional hockey career. And seclusion it was, as Ryder failed to respond to numerous attempts for an interview. In fact, as far as I know, nobody knows why he quit last year.

However, much like Brian Tobin’s retirement from provincial politics inspired by the glow of the Christmas tree lights, Daniel Ryder has had an epiphany thanks to the fireworks set off by his brother on Canada Day. (No, Michael didn’t literally set off fireworks in King William Estates July 1, in case you were wondering. But most of the excitement that day was in Harbour Grace, so maybe I missed it.)

Daniel Ryder is returning to the Calgary Flames … at least he’s returning to the organization by agreeing to attend the Flames summer development camp.

That’s hugely significant.

That decision gets him back into the organization. It may show Calgary general manager Darryl Sutter that he’s had a change of heart and he wants to play hockey again — or at least one would hope. Sutter said bluntly last year that Ryder “doesn’t want to play.”

(Attempts to reach Darryl Sutter were unsuccessful this week. Daniel Ryder has never returned phone calls.)

If you talk to hockey scouts or coaches, most of them will tell you they project Daniel Ryder to be a better overall hockey player than his older brother. That’s assuming he’s playing.

Daniel, a centre, is more rounded than Michael, with a greater range of abilities, say the scouts. He can take faceoffs, play offensively, get power play time, kill penalties and be on the ice in the last minute of a game.

Michael, they say, can do two of those. (Michael is a much more gifted scorer, which is the reason somebody is playing four million to get him. Let’s not even get into the discussion about the value of that contract.)

You think a lightbulb went off in Daniel’s head on Canada Day? He does, after all, spend a lot of time with his older brother in St. John’s during the summer, working out and golfing at various courses. Something along the lines of:

“Michael’s making $4 million. I can make at least that playing hockey. Can I make that staying home in Bonavista? Uh, Mr. Sutter, is it OK if I come skate with you guys this July?”

Last year, Daniel Ryder was scheduled to make $62,500 playing in the American Hockey League. Had he made the Calgary Flames, his salary would have been about half a million. (His signing bonus for the three-year, entry-level deal he signed was $225,000.)

I’m sorry, but you don’t get that money in Bonavista , and I mean no disrespect to anybody out there.

I’m guessing Michael had a bit to do with Daniel getting back at the hockey.

I’m also guessing Michael’s contract may have had a bit to do with it as well.

donniep@nl.rogers.com

 

1	Public Notice (7/21/2008)
2	Oil versus electric (7/2/2008)
3	‘Musical miracle’ (7/19/2008)
4	Spark re-ignited (7/12/2008)
5	Biker chic (7/12/2008)
6	‘When the Rondo’s rockin’, don’t bother knockin’ (7/19/2008)
7	The lazy, hazy days of cub camp (7/5/2008)
8	What are Newfoundlanders smoking? (7/19/2008)
9	The flying Fisheries ministers (7/12/2008)
10	Onward and upward (7/12/2008)
	view the complete news list »

1	Public Notice (7/21/2008)
2	‘Musical miracle’ (7/19/2008)
3	‘When the Rondo’s rockin’, don’t bother knockin’ (7/19/2008)
4	What are Newfoundlanders smoking? (7/19/2008)
5	Pogey paranoia (7/19/2008)
6	Greek surgeon says seals may be harvested for organs (7/19/2008)
7	Signing off … again (7/19/2008)
8	Jonesing for ... (7/19/2008)
9	Rocket man (7/17/2008)
10	Jump, dive and whale (7/17/2008)
	view the complete news list »