The Plymouth Whalers announced the signing today of 18-year-old right wing Ryan Hayes, who was selected by the Whalers in the sixth round (109th overall) of the 2005 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.“I’ve been talking to Ryan for two years,” Plymouth GM Mike Vellucci said. “I believe that the OHL is a great place for him to show how talented he is as a goal scorer while continuing to get an education in Plymouth.”
Hayes – 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, from Syracuse, N.Y. – started this season with Boston College and scored two goals and an assist in six games as a freshman for the Eagles.
Before that, Hayes played two seasons for the United States National Team Developmental Program in Ann Arbor. In 2005-06, Hayes scored 31 goals and 19 assists for 50 points in 51 games for the NTDP Under-17 Team and last season scored 19 goals with 28 assists for 47 points in 48 games for the NTDP Under-18 Team.
Hayes played youth hockey with the Syracuse Stars junior program, the same program former Whalers Robert Esche, Dan Collins and Tim and Tom Sestito played for before coming to Plymouth.
“Ryan has a great knack for scoring goals,” said Syracuse Stars head coach Donn Kirnan in a 2006 interview. “From Bantam Majors on, I thought he improved immensely. He took his game to a totally new level. On and off the ice, Ryan is a competitor. He wants to win.”
Hayes is expected to make his Plymouth debut Friday night in Sarnia and his home debut on Saturday against Erie at Compuware Arena.
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