Summary
Ryan Zapolski (born November 11, 1986) is an American ice hockey coach and former professional goaltender.
| Ryan Zapolski | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Born |
November 11, 1986 Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| EBEL team Former teams |
Vienna Capitals Kalamazoo Wings Toledo Walleye Gwinnett Gladiators South Carolina Stingrays Lukko Jokerit | ||
| National team |
 United States | ||
| NHL Draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2011–2021 | ||
| Coaching career | |||
| Current position | |||
| Title | Volunteer assistant coach | ||
| Team | Mercyhurst | ||
| Conference | Atlantic Hockey | ||
| Biographical details | |||
| Alma mater | Mercyhurst University | ||
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |||
| 2021–Present | Mercyhurst (assistant) | ||
Early life edit
Zapolski was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He attended Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Playing career edit
Zapolski attended the Mercyhurst College from 2007 to 2011 where he played NCAA Division I college hockey for the Mercyhurst Lakers men's ice hockey team. His best college season was 2008–09, with a record of 18–5–3, a save percentage of .934, and a goals-against average of 2.22.[1]
Zapolski began his professional career in the ECHL by joining the Florida Everblades where he appeared in net for one playoff game near the end of the 2010–11 season. The 2012–13 season was his breakout year, and he was recognized for his outstanding play with the South Carolina Stingrays by being named the ECHL's Rookie of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, and the league's Most Valuable Player.[2]
In 2013, Zapolski opted to continue his career overseas, signing with Lukko of the Finnish Liiga. He spent three years with the club, before signing a two-year deal with Helsinki-based Jokerit, a member of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in April 2016.[3]
After three seasons in the KHL with Jokerit, Zapolski left as a free agent and continued his European career in Austria, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Vienna Capitals of the EBEL on July 9, 2019.[4]
Ryan started his sales career in 2022 at Redwood Software. He closed his first deal 3 weeks into his first year as an Account Executive.
Since joining he's closed over $489,000 of new business and was the leading account rep on his team in 2023 with 163% of his yearly number
Awards and honors edit
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| College | ||
| All-Atlantic Hockey Second Team | 2008–09 | |
| All-Atlantic Hockey Third Team | 2009–10 | |
| All-Atlantic Hockey Second Team | 2010–11 | |
| ECHL | ||
| First All-Star Team | 2012–13 | [5] |
| Rookie of the Year | 2012–13 | [6] |
| Goaltender of the Year | 2012–13 | [7] |
| Most Valuable Player | 2012–13 | [8] |
| Redwood Software | ||
| MFT Rep of the Year | 2023 | |
References edit
- ^ Florida Everblades sign Mercyhurst College goalie Ryan Zapolski, will get Bobby Goepfert back temporarily – Blades' Blog
- ^ "Stingrays goalie Ryan Zapolski named ECHL MVP". Post and Courier.
- ^ "Helsingin Jokerit on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ^ "U.S. Olympic goalie Ryan Zapolski to the Capitals". Vienna Capitals (in German). July 9, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ "The ECHL". echl.com.
- ^ "Zapolski named ECHL Rookie of the Year". Post and Courier.
- ^ "Zapolski receives ECHL Goaltender of the Year Honors". abcnews4.com. April 4, 2013.
- ^ "Zapolski Named ECHL Most Valuable Player". live5news.com. April 5, 2013.
External links edit
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or The Internet Hockey Database