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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180 comments
Favorite thing to do in Nashville ? Go to preds games and watch my favorite team (predators) whether they win or lose, been a preds fan since 2008 when I went to my first preds game as a 5 year old boy, loved it, ever since then I’ve loved the game of hockey and it was all thanks to the preds, Nashville is full of great things, Hard Rock is my favorite place to eat, still love eating at Bridgestone arena though, win or lose I’m a preds fan till I die
My favorite thing to do in Nashville? Definitely go to Predators games. I love the atmosphere, the food, and the action on the ice. My favorite player is Pekka Rinne. (Sorry Joey) I live about an hour away so I can only go to 2-4 games a season. I look forward to every game. It’s the best thing to do in Nashville!
Such a great blog! I love how Ryan is just as great off the ice as he is on it! Such a great role model for everyone!
Our favorite thing to do in Nashville is anything Preds/titans related, we love going to games, practices, and watch parties. We also enjoy going to the different charity events when our finances allow it!
My husband and I are both working to do better at not shying away from risks. We have been discussing becoming foster parents and/or adopting an older child and have continued to
Back down from it out of fear that we won’t be good enough parents or we just would not know how to give the child the right kind of support or instruction. I also think that we kind of feared that we weren’t strong enough to handle the obstacles that come with fostering and adopting. We have recently decided that we really feel like we are being called to be foster parents and are going to start the process in April/May to do so, no matter how terrifying it seems. I love how Ryan points out that mistakes will be made and no one expects us to be perfect because as a perfectionist I really struggle with that. Our goal is to do the best we can and when we do make a mistake just learn from it and do better next time!