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Family Outing to the Rink Developed Ryan Siedem’s Love of the Game

By Becky Olsen, 07/17/18, 4:45PM EDT

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After NTDP career, Siedem and his brother will reunite at BC


Photo by Rena Laverty

For Ryan Siedem, hockey started with a trip to the local rink with his dad Pete.

“I started playing hockey when I was 4,” said Siedem. “My dad took my brother and me to skate at our local rink. It was cool since neither of my parents played hockey, so it was just for fun. Both my brother and I loved playing hockey.”

For the Madison, New Jersey, native, there was something about the sport that really drew him in.

“I think it’s a fast-paced game. You have to be really smart to play at the next level. It’s more than just being good physically — you also have to be mentally strong,” Siedem said.

There was something about becoming a defenseman that also really appealed to Siedem. It turned out that his skill set was ideal for the blue line.

“I’m really good at slowing the game down,” he said. “I think I have good poise with the puck and understand the importance of being able to control my end of the ice. I love starting the play, going up the ice.”

After playing for Avon Old Farms (Connecticut) Prep School last year, Siedem was very excited to earn a spot with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program as a member of the Under-17 team. He had a little bit of an advantage over some of his teammates when it came to the transition.

“Last year, I thought I was lucky since I also played against 18- and 19-year-olds,” he explained. “It wasn’t as hard for me as it probably was for guys who played against kids their own age. It was more difficult because all the kids were so fast and strong. It took a little bit to get used to.”

Siedem finished with three goals and 17 points in 61 games this season.  More than anything, he realizes just how much his game grew from when he first arrived in Plymouth in late August to now.

“I think I have gotten stronger physically,” explained Siedem, who is 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds. “I’m a big guy so it’s important for me to use my size to my advantage. I didn’t know if I was doing enough of that at the beginning of the year but I’m definitely doing that now.”


Ryan's Favorites

Favorite NHL Team
New York Rangers

Favorite NHL Player
Ryan McDonagh

Favorite Movie
Step Brothers

Favorite Celebrity
Adam Sandler

Favorite Musical Artist
The Chainsmokers

Favorite Netflix Binge
Friday Night Lights

Favorite Home-Cooked Meal
Chicken Parm

Activity
Golf


A big part of his development this past season was the off-ice conditioning and video sessions. It was these little things that helped him translate to that success on the ice.

“The training here is better than anywhere else,” said Siedem. “We do all kinds of training to help with all aspects of our game. It definitely translates over.

“Watching video helps because we get to see our in-game [film] where we are making mistakes and how we can fix it.”

Siedem and his U17 teammates won 42 games and only lost 19 all year. He credits a simple formula of a team-first attitude for that success.

“Everyone bought into what the coaches were telling us,” explained Siedem. “We knew that we could do something special, so we really bought into it and believed in ourselves to become one of the most successful [U17] teams ever.”

 We knew that we could do something special, so we really bought into it and believed in ourselves to become one of the most successful [U17] teams ever.

The big question that lingers is what they will do for an encore next year as Under-18 members.

“We can’t let anything go. We have to keep it going,” Siedem said.

Siedem made plenty of memories in his first year with the red, white and blue. There are a few events that really stand out to him.

“The U17 Challenge, but all the international tournaments as we went undefeated in international play which has never been done,” he said. “All of our players — we all wanted to be the first team to ever do that and we took pride in that. I think it’s very impressive.”

What’s even more important for Siedem is being reunited with his brother Jason on the ice. The brothers have committed to continue their college hockey careers at Boston College.



Photo by Rena Laverty


“My brother is an age below,” explained Ryan. “I have always wanted to play together with my brother so I’m very excited about it. We only played together in the spring for one tournament for fun. It wasn’t anything too serious.”

It was tough for Siedem to leave his brother at first, but they will be reunited this summer as they plan to train together.

“We train together in the summer,” he said. “We do all the same stuff that we do here and I’ll skate about three times a week, depending on what else is going on.”

It’s been a long journey since that first trip to the rink, but it’s brought them back together on the ice.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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