Centerman for the Nashville Predators. Establishing himself as a game changer on the ice and a role model within the community. Playing over 500 games in his ninth campaign in the National Hockey League. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia; raised 40 minutes North East in the city of Port Moody.
In this article Ryan breaks down his daily mindset and how he approaches the process from growing up as a young hockey fan with a dream to being one of today’s stars in the National Hockey League.
Off the ice Ryan discusses his business venture Journey Risk True Lifestyle and Apparel. A clothing company that began as an initial hobby designing hats, with a few childhood friends. To focusing on establishing an identity that inspires a community to achieve their personal highest standards.
What made you interested in founding a clothing company?
“We started Journey Risk True Lifestyle and Apparel to have a hobby with a group of friends that kept us all connected as we shifted to living in different cities with different carrier paths. This has been a fun opportunity that we plan to continue having fun with while inspiring others to achieve their goals and live out their dreams.”
What do you enjoy the most with this business venture?
“The cool thing about building Journey Risk True in our early stages, is all the people we connect with. The way we want to inspire people is based from our everyday values that we have turned into a brand. Those values influence the way we treat others and approach our day-to-day. It is how we’ve built relationships. As we continue growing with Journey Risk True we connect with people that share their own stories, who have goals and aspirations for their life.”
What is your favorite thing to do in Nashville?
“Get out in the city with friends and family and really do whatever. Go around to different spots and know the city better. Favorite Lunch spots are Burger Up and bartaco; dinner spot is Kayne Prime."
What is your favorite part of being a professional hockey player?
“It gives the opportunity to be a role model for not only kids but all people. Allowing me to set the right examples for the image that I can represent being a Nashville predator.”
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
“Just to be yourself and be the best version of you. Wake up everyday excited to achieve what you want to do. Go out and have fun enjoying each day. Treat people how you want to be treated and make the most of your life. Surround yourself with people and friends that make you a better person.”
What are you currently working on?
“I focus on having a consistent open mind to allow myself to work on ways to enhance my career and my image. Giving back to the community and working on ways to enhance my opportunities in being a professional athlete. To make the most of this chapter in my life.”
What is your favorite city you have visited on the road and what about it makes it special to you?
“There are many great cities on the road. My favorite is just always coming back home to Vancouver. It’s always fun and special to get to see family and friends that you don’t get to see very often. To play in the arena where I watched many Canucks games as a kid. I enjoy those experiences where your family and friends that you grew up watching these games with, now get to watch you live your dream, on the center stage."
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What part of your JOURNEY gives you continuous purpose?
“My motivation everyday and something that I am always excited about is leading by example. I am constantly working on trying to be a figure that people can look up to. As the days and years go on with my career in the National Hockey League; it is important for me to be a difference maker around the community and around the rink representing the Preds.”
How do you approach taking a RISK to elevate your career and yourself as a person?
“For me it is not worrying about making mistakes. I attack every day and situation that is presented to me. You have to have confidence in what you are doing and what you are striving to be. Most importantly, just be yourself. You will make mistakes and you are going to learn as you go along your path. Just have awareness in making the right choices where you are always learning. Always work on finding ways to improve in what you are wanting to be.”
What does the word TRUE mean to you and how does it impact your life?
When you look in the mirror, are you taking action for what you want to be? Are you staying true to what you believe in and what you want to do? Are you making the right choices to lead by example to be a role model? For me it is when you look in that mirror during those moments of reflection in life and you can smile back and say I am making all of those right choices. I am doing everything that I can to be the best person that I can be. I know I am going in the right direction that will continue leading me to the places that I want to go.
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To answer one of the the questions from the blog. The word true is what I want to be in my life… I want to be a true friend, a true husband, and a true father. I want to be explained by people that I was true to my heart and feeling and that I was true to all I came in contact with.
TRUE; what it means to me. In my personal opinion TRUE means leaving your mark on the world, meaning making it a better place before you were born, even when you are gone. In July 2018, I was still in my “party” stage of life when I let alcohol severely injury me. My accident was truly a “blessing is disguise”, after 40+ days in the hospital, I have since took an entire new look at life. As I reach 8 months sober, My vision has never been more clear. Life isn’t about parting with your friends, but more about the important moments in which you can spend times with those you love, friends and family. Be polite, make someone’s day. Instead of being angry at someone take a deep breathe and remember, their day could always be worst than yours. Use the blessings we overlook every day, and think about how lucky we are to be in the position we are in. If you truly do something nice, for one person, everyday, you will genially make world a much better place. Never take your life for granted as it could always be worse.
What part of my journey gives me purpose?
My determination is what I believe gives me purpose. I’m adopted from Russia, and have faced almost 15 surgeries, including 2 brain tumor removals. While all of this was going on, I continued to try bettering my life and succeeding in school. I have now been 13 years brain tumor free and am currently in college, studying to work in Finance.
Without my determination to be the best I could be, I would have no purpose in life. My existence would be unnecessary and would have no affect on society. Once I earn my degree, I hope to move back to Nashville. Not just so I can get back to going to as many Preds games as possible, but to help the city I love. My hope is to better the city, especially in areas where people are not as fortunate as myself.
I am also a huge fan of Johansen’s, as I watched him recover from a terrible injury. I was diagnosed with a bone disease when I was 8 years old, only a year after having a brain tumor removed. I know that leg injuries and problems are not easy to recover from in any way, and found Johansen’s story to be inspiring. I knew if Ryan could get through something as severe as that, I can get through another leg reconstruction operation. I admire Johansen for making his dream a reality in both hockey and business. JRT is truly inspiring and it just shows how determination can give yourself purpose, and that sometimes that’s purpose and can be hope and joy to others.