With spending that much time with his dad, Rolston was able to take what he learned and really mold his game. He truly appreciates the little words of advice he has received over the years.

“Every day he tells me to be the hardest working guy in practice,” he said. “That is definitely my motto. I think it has helped me on the ice. We play different styles even though we skate really similar. Everything he tells me to do, I do my best to try and put it into my game. He has helped me so much.”

While his dad was playing hockey, Rolston usually had to lean on his mom Jen to get him to practice and games. She played a huge role in his development.

“She had just as big of a role as my dad,” he said. “She was always there for me — especially up until I was 11, helping me with school and taking me to practice and games. I wouldn’t be here without her either. She has helped me so much.”

It should be no surprise that his uncle, Ron Rolston, also played a role in his hockey career. After all, he coached for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program from 2004-11, so Ryder was somewhat familiar with the program. He knew just how special it was to be able to play for his country.

“He would always tell me that it is a unique thing to be able to represent your country,” said Ryder. “If you have the chance to do it, it’s unbelievable. You get to see the different players that come through here such as Cam Fowler and Patrick Kane, and you see where they are now. You get that taste of what it is to represent your country and maybe even the Olympics down the road.”

The 5-foot-11, 153-pound forward really saw his game grow over the course of his Under-17 season with the NTDP. He finished with 26 goals and 40 points in 53 games.

“Every aspect of my game has grown,” said Rolston. “I came in here and I was one of the more timid guys and as the year went on, I really tried to take every opportunity that was given to me and I took advantage of that. Where I was at the beginning of the year to now, it’s a huge gap. I feel that I am going to continue to make strides like that. The sky is the limit.”

One area that he credits to helping his game is the off-ice conditioning that the team did several times a week, especially during the season.

“It’s huge. Other teams in the USHL or other leagues, they do not really utilize that aspect of their game,” said Rolston. “I feel that for us, that is what makes the program so special. You are getting unbelievable on-ice training but it’s just as good off the ice. That is what is going to help me grow as a player.

Where I was at the beginning of the year to now, it’s a huge gap. I feel that I am going to continue to make strides like that. The sky is the limit.

“The Kirk [Culik, off-ice conditioning coach] sessions were pretty hard. As the season goes on, you definitely grow to appreciate them more. They have helped just has much as the weightlifting.”

The Birmingham, Michigan, native has plenty of memories from his first year with the red, white and blue.

“For me, I scored my first USHL hat trick [March 25 vs. Chicago] and that was a very good feeling,” he said. “Even though we lost that game, I felt that was something I worked for and it showed the work I had been putting in.

“I thought that winning the Five Nations in Finland [in February] was great too. It was unbelievable going over there and everyone played really well. Helsinki was a great city.”

Just as his uncle said, Rolston has experienced just how special it is to wear the USA jersey.

“It’s unbelievable to see that crest on your jersey every day. Not only in hockey but to be able to see what other people do for our country and see that you are in that same bubble or aspect of everything,” he said.