Michael Ryder, a native of Bonavista, Newfoundland, embarked on his professional hockey journey after being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the eighth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. His path to the NHL was not immediate, as he spent several years honing his skills in the minor leagues, including stints with the Hull Olympiques in the QMJHL and the Quebec Citadelles in the AHL.
Ryder's NHL debut came in the 2003-2004 season with the Canadiens. He quickly established himself as a reliable right winger, known for his scoring ability and knack for finding the back of the net. In his rookie season, Ryder tallied 25 goals and 63 points, earning him a nomination for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league's top rookie.
Over the next few seasons, Ryder continued to be a consistent offensive presence for Montreal. He recorded back-to-back 30-goal seasons in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, solidifying his reputation as a goal scorer. However, his production dipped in the 2007-2008 season, leading to his departure from the Canadiens.
In the summer of 2008, Ryder signed with the Boston Bruins as a free agent. His tenure with the Bruins was marked by a resurgence in his performance. During the 2010-2011 season, Ryder played a crucial role in Boston's playoff run, contributing 17 points in 25 games. His efforts helped the Bruins capture the Stanley Cup, marking the pinnacle of his career.
Following his success in Boston, Ryder joined the Dallas Stars in 2011. He continued to demonstrate his scoring prowess, achieving a career-high 35 goals during the 2011-2012 season. Ryder's time with the Stars was productive, but in 2013, he was traded back to the Montreal Canadiens, where he finished the season.
Ryder's final NHL stop was with the New Jersey Devils, where he signed a two-year contract in 2013. His performance with the Devils was steady, though not as prolific as in previous years. After the 2014-2015 season, Ryder's NHL career came to a close.
Throughout his career, Ryder was known for his ability to score goals and contribute offensively.
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