Ryan Stoa

Ryan James Stoa (born April 13, 1987) is an American professional ice hockey Left wing currently playing for the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL while under contract to the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League.

Amateur
Stoa was drafted in the 2nd round (34th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. Prior to being drafted Ryan played high school hockey at Bloomington Kennedy High School earning All-Lake Conference Honorable Mention honors during the 2002–03 season. He was then selected to the U.S. Development Program playing in the Under 17 and 18 National Team from 2003–2005.

Stoa committed play Collegiate Hockey for the University of Minnesota in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. In 2005–06, his freshmen year, Stoa finished second to Phil Kessel in freshman scoring with 25 points for the Golden Gophers. At the start of the 2007–08 season, in his junior year, Stoa was Red-Shirted when he suffered a season ending knee-injury. In the following season, Stoa returned as the Gophers captain to lead the WCHA in scoring with 46 points in 36 games to be named the Gophers Most Valuable Player. Stoa was also selected to the WCHA First All-Star Team and named first-team All-American by the American Hockey Coaches Association, College Hockey News and Inside College Hockey. On March 27, 2009, Stoa forwent his senior year and signed a two-year entry level contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

Professional
Despite making an impression with the Avalanche in the pre-season, Stoa was assigned to the Avalanche's AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters to begin the 2009–10 season. On October 13, 2009, he scored his first professional goal with Lake Erie against the San Antonio Rampage in a 4-1 defeat. Stoa made his NHL debut with the Avalanche against the Calgary Flames on December 13, 2009. In his fifth recall to the Avalanche, Stoa scored his first NHL goal in a 5-2 defeat to the Chicago Blackhawks on April 9, 2010. Stoa finished the season scoring 40 points with the Monsters, co-leading the AHL with 23 goals among rookies.

International play
Apart of the U.S. development program, Stoa was named to the United States Team for the 2005 U18 World Championships. Using his imposing frame, Stoa recorded 3 assists in 6 games to help the U.S. capture Gold. Stoa was also named to the U.S. Team for the 2007 World Junior Championships in Mora, Sweden. Stoa played a checking role with the Americans, and scored 2 points in 7 games to help earn Bronze.