User:Rmuhockeyfan/Ryan Cruthers

Ryan Cruthers is a profesional hockey player from Farmingdale New York born on July 4, 1984. Ryan is 180 pounds a 6' tall. During Cruthers pre-collegiate career he won an EJHL Championship with the New York Apple Core and a New York State Championship with St Marys High School. Cruthers then attended West Point the United States Military Academy before transferring to RMU, Robert Morris University, where he sat out his first year due to NCAA transfer restrictions, but later Cruthers found his way to be a leader on the team, and a top collegiate player in his senior year. Cruthers graduated from RMU with degree in Sports Management. After his collegiate career Cruthers went on to play professionally with the New York Islanders minor league organization the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL)and the Islanders other minor league organization the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL).

Junior Hockey
Cruthers scored 43 goals and 60 assists for a total of 103 points during his term with the New York Apple Core where he won his EJHL Championship ring. Cruthers also had 101 penalty minutes.

Cruthers attended three high schools during his pre-collegiate career. He attended Farmingdale Public High School, Portledge Preparatory Academy, and St Marys high school.

During his stay at St Marys High School he won a NYS High School Championship.

USMA Career
Cruthers first stop on his collegiate road was the United States Military Academy. During Cruthers 2003-2004 season he tied to be leader in scoring. He had 18 points his freshman year with 13 assists and 5 goals. Cruthers won the Heinmiller Award for the most outstanding freshman that year.

After an incredible first season of play Cruthers was expected to be just as a strong a player the following season and he showed up ready to play. Cruthers came in second for scoring during the 2004-2005 season but he lead the team with 10 assists and then tacked on an extra 6 goals for a total of 16 points that season.

In an article written by Keith Koval for Robert Morris University Cruthers talked about his decision to transfer schools. Cruthers stated "I left on good terms," Cruthers said. "Being there for two years, I decided hockey was my passion and I wanted to pursue hockey opportunities after college instead of serving time in the military. I thought the best way to do that was to transfer."

Robert Morris University
After Cruthers decesion to leave USMA he called Derek Schooley the new head coach of RMU Mens Hockey Team. Schooley, formerly assistant coach for Air Force, had recruited Ryan before his decision to attend West Point and was more then happy to take Ryan on the team.

Cruthers was forced to sit out the 2004-2005 season.

Back and ready to play during the 2006-2007 season Cruthers made a name for himself yet again. Cruthers led the team with 37 points, 17 of which were goals and another ten assists. Cruthers rewrote the RMU record book that year.

Cruthers senior year was his biggest. Halfway through his senior year Cruthers leadership ability was shown when he was named a team a captain. Cruthers had 22 goals and 27 assists his final season. He was third in the nation in points per game. He was also in the top ten for assists.

During his senior year Cruthers was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award. The Hobey is often referred to as Heisman of Hockey. Cruthers was also nominated for the Lowe's Senior Class a coveted award for colleges top hockey players.