He was only 14 when his dream came true.
Ryder Thompson of Russell was drafted in the fifth round, 105th overall, by the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League in the WHL Prospects Draft. Just because you're drafted doesn't guarantee you anything. Many players say that's when the real work starts.
Thompson did everything he could to make sure he would get a chance to play with the team that drafted him. Less than two years later, Ryder made a name for himself. He made the Winterhawks as a 16-year-old. Five years later, Ryder's Major Junior career ended.
Thompson made his WHL debut in the 2019-20 season, playing one game with Portland. He then started the following season with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). His time there was very short. Ryder played eight games with the Wolverines before he was called up to Portland, and the rest is history.
Ryder played 264 regular-season games in the WHL, collecting 14 goals and 69 assists. He also skated in 56 playoff games, nabbing two goals and 11 assists. In the 2023-24 season, as one of the team's assistant captains, Ryder helped guide Portland to a 48-win season. That was the third-most regular season wins in the league, only behind Prince George and Saskatoon. They went on a memorable playoff run, advancing to the championship series. Ryder and his teammates went up against Aiden Ziprick of Russell and the Moose Jaw Warriors. It was Ziprick's Warriors that finished the deal in four straight.
Returning to Portland for his overage year this past season, Thompson was again a leader and helped the team win 36 games. It was an excellent regular season, especially considering the elite talent the team lost after the run the previous year. They beat Prince George in seven games in round one and Everett in seven games in round two. Thompson's time with Portland ended on Thursday, May 1, when Spokane swept the Winterhawks.
"A lot of people didn't have us making it that far this season, and even some of the guys in the room with what we lost last year," said Thompson. "With the experience we had going through it last year, we wanted to get back. I think it was very important for the young guys to experience this run. Hopefully, they can get back here next year. It was a super special run this year."
Point-wise, this past year was Ryder's best. In 67 games, he scored nine goals and had 23 points. His nine goals were six more than any other season. It's also extremely impressive that Thompson had only 33 penalty minutes.
Ryder posted one more goal, paired with six assists in the playoffs.
"This year, I think I took a really big step personally. I took a big step as a leader," continued Thompson. "I tried to come to the rink every day and enjoy it with the guys. It all ended with a snap of the finger, and no one warned you about it. It was a super special year. One of my favourites."
When the Winterhawks handed out their season-ending awards, the Russell product made history. Ryder was presented with the Winterhawk Award. Presented by the coaching staff, the award recognizes the player who best exemplifies character, leadership, heart, and soul. For the first time in the team's 49-year history, a player won the award back-to-back-to-back.
"That was really cool. Working hard and coming ready to go every day is something I learned from the 20-year-olds when I was 16," ended Thompson. "To have that accolade is really cool. We'll see if anyone else can win three or four moving forward. It's hard to put into words how much my time here has meant."
While his time in the WHL has ended, Thompson has advanced to the next level. He'll be playing NCAA Division 1 hockey with Miami University (Ohio). Playing in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), Miami's recruiting class is ranked fourth in the nation. The Redhawks begin their season on home ice against Ferris State on October 3.
Thompson and his new teammates will play former Dauphin King all-star Cole Sheffield and the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on February 20 and 21.
