NHL draft tracker: Andrew Ryan, Halifax Mooseheads

Andrew Ryan's been part of a turnaround season in Halifax, although it hasn't been the smoothest sailing for the Newfoundlander.

Ryan was in dry dock for the first two-and-a-half months of the QMJHL season after breaking his ankle in August. The long recovery might partially explain why it took time for him to produce this season, but that might be trumped when one considers who he plays with for the much improved Mooseheads. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound left wing has been skating of late with two highly ranked draft prospects, 16-year-old wunderkind Nathan MacKinnon and 18-year-old right wing Martin Frk. That should speak well for Ryan, considering the Mooseheads have another nice power winger option in Vancouver Canucks draft pick Alexandre Grenier.

"I'm a big guy, I have some skill and I like to take pucks to the net," says the Paradise, N.L., native who was ranked 64th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in January. "We've great results this year for sure so far in Halifax. There's a lot bigger fanbase this year. More fans are coming out and it is great to be part of."

The Mooseheads have won four of their past five games as they attempt to enter the playoffs on an upswing, including a 7-0 rout of Acadie-Bathurst on Wednesday when the MacKinnon-Ryan-Frk line combined for seven points. Ryan, whom Halifax initially thought would become a rangy centreman after they took him 19th overall in the 2011 QMJHL draft, has adapted well to playing the wing and creating opportunities for his two well-known linemates. He has nine goals and 20 points in 40 games on the year.

"He's got size, also he has really good hands," says Mooseheads coach Dominique Ducharme. "He's just complementing Marty and Nathan very well. He's the type of forward who can be very dangerous around the net.

"He's not a bad skater, he's faster than you might expect. Tall guys sometimes look a little slower, the first step. But to reach the level, everyone needs to be faster and that's certainly something he can improve in."

For Ryan, he's mostly grateful to have put some distance between himself and the busted ankle that shortened his season. It was a big setback, since much like many taller forwards, improving his skating is a high priority.

"The most frustrating part about being out is not being to able to do anything about it," he says. "It was just something where I had to wait for it to heal and watch a lot of hockey games."

1. In your mind, what would scouts say is the biggest skill you have to work on between now and when you'll be on the cusp of turning pro?

"Probably my physicality. I'm a big guy and I probably don't use my body the way I should."

2. Was having a QMJHL team in your hometown a few years ago (the St. John Fog Devils franchise, now the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada) important in convincing you it was possible to compete in that league?

"Yes, for sure. I went down and watched a lot of games. I knew it was great hockey and there were a lot of great players who came through the city."

3. What do you consider your proudest hockey achievement?

"Probably winning the Telus Cup national [midget] championship with the Notre Dame Hounds. I was only 14 when I went out there [Wilcox, Sask.] and achieving that made it all worthwhile. I had to grow up pretty quick. It was a decision I knew I had to make. There was a little bit of culture shock, but you soon realize everyone is there for a reason."

4. What do you do to de-stress when you need to get your mind off of hockey for a while?

"I like to do outdoor stuff, like go fishing. During the season, I'll just play a bit of PS3 or go see a movie, something like that."

5. If you could meet one person living or dead, who would it be?

"Jay Onrait or Dan O'Toole. I watch those guys all the time on Sportscentre and they seem like they'd be fun to hang out with."

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Contact him at neatesager@yahoo.ca and follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet (photo: The Canadian Press).