Ryan Pulock played 285 games including the playoffs with the Brandon Wheat Kings after he joined the team in the 2010-2011 season. He quickly became a point producer as he had 42 points — eight of which were goals — and he had another six points in six playoff games.
Including playoffs in the following year, Pulock put together a 65 point season and he also played with the Canadian U-18 team. Moving forward to the next season, Pulock was named team captain and he remained captain for two seasons in total, including his all-star 2013-2014 season. He was named to the WHL’s Eastern Conference First All-Star Team.
Ultimately as it does for every junior-hockey player, Ryan’s days in the league came to an end, but his days in Brandon proved to be the beginning of what has become a successful career in the National Hockey League and it’s just getting going.
After playing three games with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers following his final season with Brandon, he played the entire 2014-2015 season with the Sound Tigers. He made his NHL debut in the following season where he played in 21 games, six of which were in the playoffs. He played another 51 games with Bridgeport that year and 55 as an assistant captain in the following season and then he received his big break.
NHL days:
Ryan made the New York Islanders full-time in the 2017-2018 season. He played 68 games that season and had 32 points. Fast forward to today and Pulock has now suited up in 270 NHL games, 36 of them have come in the playoffs. 22 of them came this past summer when the league entered its bubble to conduct the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In 22 games as the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Final, the Grandview, Manitoba born Islander scored twice and he had eight assists. Tampa Bay defeated New York in six games on their way to winning the Stanley Cup.
It was a year that has been different than any we have seen in the past. With COVID-19 continuing to be a major public health issue, the only way the NHL would be able to hold the playoffs was to enter a bubble, which they did. So of course, it was different with no fans in the stands, but it meant hockey was going to be played and that’s all that matters for Ryan.
“That was quite the experience, that’s for sure. It was a fun run making it as far as we did,” said Pulock. “It’s something that we want to build on as a team. I think the NHL did a tremendous job of putting the bubble together so we could play.”
Ryan has made it known in the past that he expects to produce more offensively every year and that’s what he has done. He had 32 points in his first season with New York and he followed it up with 37 points two seasons ago. When this past season’s 82 game schedule was interrupted, he was already at 35 points and was well on pace to post a new career-high. Now looking ahead to a new season which could start in January, Pulock is looking for bigger and better things from himself.
“I don’t think I have ever been satisfied. I always want to produce more and help this team win games,” said Pulock. “With that said, I think I had a pretty solid season and now it’s about moving forward.”
The Islanders are the only organization that Ryan has ever known. He played 163 games with their farm team and he’s not going anywhere. New York is now led by Barry Trotz who helped Washington win their first Stanley Cup ever in 2018.
Contract:
Ryan will stay with the Islanders for at least the next two years. Just two days before he was set to go to an arbitration hearing, he signed a two-year extension with New York. The two sides agreed on a two-year, 10 million dollar contract.
“I’m really excited about this. I’m looking forward to remaining with this great organization,” said Pulock. “I believe this team is in a good spot.”
Ryan is now training in Brandon ahead of the new season which has no set date yet; however, the league has said they’re hoping for early January.
Fun fact:
When Ryan isn’t playing hockey and the weather allows him to do so, he loves being on the golf course.
One of the events that he plays in almost every year is the Grand Plains Celebrity Classic which is held at the Gilbert Plains Country Club. Three summers ago while playing in that event, Pulock was inches away from a hole-in-one that would have seen him win $15,000.
Although this year’s golf season has come to an end, Ryan is looking forward to the day when he can tee it up again.
“It’s definitely one of my favourite activities to do when I can,” he ended. “I love being on the course with some good friends and just enjoying the weather.”
