Red Wings Re-Sign Ryan Sproul
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today re-signed defenseman Ryan Sproul to a two-year contract.
Sproul, 23, played in 75 games for the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins in the 2015-16 season and led all defenseman on the team in goals with 12. His 35 points (12-23-35) ranked second among Grand Rapids defenseman during the regular season and his nine playoff points placed second on the team. The 6-foot-4, 206-pound Sproul has totaled 28 goals and 63 assists in 215 career games with the Griffins, while adding 14 points in 24 career playoff games. Sproul was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team in 2013-14 and made his NHL debut on April 4, 2014 against the St. Louis Blues, recording three shots.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Sproul was originally drafted by the Red Wings in the second round (55th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He spent three seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, recording 153 points (57-96-153) in 172 games from 2010-13. Sproul was named the CHL's Defenseman of the Year in 2013 after leading all OHL blueliners in points with 66. He also led all OHL defenseman in goals in 2011-12 (23) and 2012-13 (20). An alternate captain with the Greyhounds in his final season, Sproul was selected as an OHL First-Time All-Star following an appearance on the league's Third All-Star Team the previous year.
