Ryan Graves (ice hockey)

Graves, a native of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, first played at the major midget level with the South Shore Mustangs of the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League (NSMMHL) as well as his local side, the Yarmouth Mariners in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MJAHL) in the 2010–11 season. With his growing frame, Graves was initially selected in the first round, ninth overall, in the 2011 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Prince Edward Island Rocket.

Agreeing to terms with the Rocket, Graves made his debut in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in the following 2011–12 season, registering 2 goals and 9 points in 62 contests. After improving his offensive output in the following 2012–13 season, Graves gained the eye of NHL scouts, and was later selected in the fourth round, 110th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

The Rocket were rebranded as the Charlottetown Islanders for the 2013–14 season. In collecting 12 points in 39 games, Graves was dealt by the Islanders to the Val-d'Or Foreurs for their post-season push. He helped the Foreurs in the playoffs with 8 points in 24 games to help the club claim the President's Cup. On March 17, 2014, Graves' progression was rewarded as he was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Rangers.[1]

Prior to the 2014–15 season, Graves was again on the move in the QMJHL, traded by the Foreurs to the Quebec Remparts in exchange for Vincent Lanoue and draft picks on August 18, 2014.[2] An assistant captain, Graves broke out offensively in his final junior season, contributing with a career-high 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points in just 50 games. He was selected to the Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup All-Star Team after collecting 5 points in 5 games for host club Quebec.[3]

Graves at the 2016 AHL All-Star Game

In the 2015–16 season, Graves was assigned to the Rangers AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He made his professional debut on opening night against the St. John's IceCaps on October 10, 2015. He collected his first goal and assist in a 4–3 victory over the Syracuse Crunch on October 23, 2015. As a hulking defenceman with good mobility, Graves was a staple on the blueline for the Wolf Pack and represented the club at the 2016 AHL All-Star Game, winning the hardest shot contest with a 103.4 m/ph slapshot.[4] With the Wolf Pack finishing out of playoff contention, Graves finished the season, leading the blueline with 9 goals in his 21 points in 74 games.

In the following 2016–17 season, Graves continued his upward development in leading the blueline in all scoring categories with 8 goals, 22 assists and 30 points. Assigned to the Wolf Pack for the final year of his rookie contract, Graves regressed with just 4 goals and 11 points in 57 games in the 2017–18 season. Graves was dealt by the New York Rangers at the trade deadline to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Chris Bigras on February 26, 2018.[5] He was immediately assigned to the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.

On July 17, he was re-signed to a one-year contract by the Avalanche.[6] In the 2018–19 season, Graves scored his first NHL goal on January 4, 2019, against the team that drafted him, the New York Rangers.[7] On July 8, Graves was re-signed to a one-year contract.[8] During the 2019–20 season, primarily playing alongside eventual Calder Cup winner Cale Makar, Graves in a top-pairing role scored career highs in both goals and points, and lead the NHL in the plus–minus statistic at +40. On October 12, 2020, Graves signed a three-year, $9.5 million contract with the Avalanche.[9]

In the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Graves made his 100th NHL appearance in a 3–2 overtime victory over the Anaheim Ducks on January 22, 2021.[10] Used in a top-four role, Graves was relied upon as the mainstay of the Avalanche penalty kill, finishing third in the league in short-handed time on ice. He registered 2 goals and 15 points in appearing in 54 of 56 regular season games.

On July 15, 2021, due to impending expansion draft considerations, Graves was traded by Avalanche to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Mikhail Maltsev and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.[11]