Ryan Huska is a former professional ice hockey player and current coach. He was born on January 10, 1976, in Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada. Huska began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kelowna Rockets in 1992. He played for the Rockets for four seasons, from 1992 to 1996, and was a key player in their Memorial Cup championship win in 1995.
In 1996, Huska was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Flames' minor league affiliates, the Saint John Flames and the Lowell Lock Monsters, for several seasons. In 2000, he made his NHL debut with the Flames and played in 11 games that season.
Huska continued to play in the minor leagues for several more seasons, including stints with the Utah Grizzlies, the San Antonio Rampage, and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He retired from playing in 2005 and began his coaching career.
Huska started his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL. He helped lead the Rockets to a Memorial Cup championship in 2004 as an assistant coach. In 2007, he was named the head coach of the Rockets and led them to a WHL championship in 2009.
In 2010, Huska was hired as an assistant coach with the Abbotsford Heat, the Flames' AHL affiliate. He was promoted to head coach in 2014 and led the Heat to the playoffs in his first season as head coach. In 2015, he was named the AHL's Coach of the Year.
Huska continued to coach the Heat until 2018, when he was hired as an assistant coach with the Flames. He served as an assistant coach for three seasons before leaving the Flames organization in 2021.
Throughout his career, Huska was known for his leadership and work ethic. He was a respected player and coach and was admired by his teammates and colleagues. He was also known for his dedication to the game and his commitment to helping young players develop their skills.
In conclusion, Ryan Huska had a successful hockey career as both a player and a coach. He played in the NHL and the minor leagues and won a Memorial Cup championship as a player. As a coach, he won a WHL championship and was named the AHL's Coach of the Year. He was a respected leader and mentor to many young players and will be remembered as a dedicated and hardworking member of the hockey community.
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