Ryznar makes it a Michigan trifecta

Forward Jason Ryznar became the third graduating Michigan player to sign a pro deal this week as the New Jersey Devils signed Ryznar to a rookie contract yesterday.

Ryznar, 22, was drafted by the Devils in the third round, 64th overall, back in 2002 after two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program.

Over his four years with the Wolverines, the Anchorage, Alaska, native scored 28 goals among 72 points and also rang up 118 penalty minutes in 145 games.

Classmates David Moss (Calgary/NHL) and Michael Woodford (Long Beach/ECHL) also signed earlier this week.

New Jersey Devils Press Release

Woodford also goes pro, signs ECHL pact

Michael Woodford joins David Moss as 2005 Michigan grads to sign pro contracts in the past two days as he inked a deal to play for the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the ECHL today.

Moss signed with the Calgary Flames yesterday.

The 6-foot, 205-pound native of Westford, Mass., was a fourth-round pick (117th overall) of the Florida Panthers in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He compiled 17 goals, 49 assists, 66 points and 200 penalty minutes in 145 games played with the Wolverines.

Woodford becomes the third rookie to sign a contract with the Ice Dogs this season from a major NCAA Division I program, joining Kevin Ulanski and Jonathon Foster from the University of Denver.

“Michael is a real honest, hard working, hard nosed player from a very successful Division One program," said Long Beach head coach and director of hockey operations Malcolm Cameron. “He’s well respected by his teammates and we’re really excited to have a hard working player like him on our team.”

“I’ve heard great things about Long Beach and head coach Malcolm Cameron," said Woodford, 23. “I think the team next season will build off the success of last year and that Ice Dogs fans are going to get to see great offense, defense and goaltending.”

Long Beach Ice Dogs Press Release

Moss signs NHL deal with Flames

Four-year letterwinner David Moss from the University of Michigan has signed an NHL contract with the Calgary Flames.

The Flames drafted Moss in the seventh round, 220th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Moss, a 23-year-old Dearborn native, posted 94 points (36 goals, 58 assists) and 91 penalty minutes in 162 games in Ann Arbor over the past four seasons.

Moss, a forward, graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School in 2000. He was named to the Detroit News Hockey Dream Team as a senior while earning all-state and first team All-Metro Conference honors after posting 46 points in 28 games.

Calgary Flames Press Release