Ryan Potulny

Ryan Potulny (born September 5, 1984) is an American professional ice hockey player. Potulny is playing for the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, a farm team of the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Potulny was drafted in the third round, 87th overall, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers after playing two years with the USHL's Lincoln Stars. He spent the next three seasons playing collegiate hockey with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, recording 68 goals and 50 assists for a total of 118 points in 100 games. Potulny ranked first in the nation with 38 goals and 63 points during his last season with the Gophers, 2005–06, and was named an All-WCHA First Team Honoree and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

Potulny signed a 2-year entry level contract with the Flyers on March 29, 2006. He played his first two professional games with the Flyers at the tail-end of the 2005–06 season, making his NHL debut on April 7, 2006 and also recording his first point. He split the 2006–07 season with the Flyers and the AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms.

On April 24, 2008, Potulny scored the game winning goal at 2:58 in the fifth overtime in Game 5 of the East Division Semifinals. The games total time was 142:58, an AHL record for longest game.

Potulny was traded from the Flyers to the Edmonton Oilers on June 6, 2008 in exchange for Danny Syvret. He then signed a one-year deal with the Oilers on June 14, 2008.

On September 8, 2010, Potulny signed a one-year two-way contract as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks. He ultimately played in only three games with the Blackhawks, spending much of the season with their AHL affiliate in Rockford.

On February 28 2011, Potulny was traded to the Ottawa Senators along with a second round draft pick in the 2011 entry draft in return for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2012 entry draft and Chris Campoli.

On July 1, 2011, Potulny signed with the Washington Capitals.

Awards

 * 2002–03: USHL Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award
 * 2004–05: WCHA Third All-Star Team
 * 2005–06: WCHA First Team Honoree
 * 2008–09: Named to the AHL All-Star Classic in Worcester, MA