Ryan Malone is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on December 1, 1979, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up playing hockey in the Pittsburgh area. Malone played college hockey at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fourth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Malone made his NHL debut with the Penguins in the 2003-04 season and quickly established himself as a physical forward with a scoring touch. He played four seasons with the Penguins, scoring 22 goals in his rookie season and setting a career-high with 22 goals and 51 points in the 2006-07 season. Malone was known for his hard-nosed play and willingness to go to the net to score goals.
In the summer of 2008, Malone became a free agent and signed a seven-year, $31.5 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played three seasons with the Lightning, scoring 21 goals in his first season and helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2011. However, his time in Tampa Bay was marred by injuries and off-ice issues, including a DUI arrest in 2013.
Malone was bought out of his contract by the Lightning in the summer of 2014 and signed a one-year deal with the New York Rangers. He played in just six games with the Rangers before being placed on waivers and ultimately sent to the AHL. Malone retired from professional hockey in 2015.
Throughout his career, Malone was known for his physical play and ability to score goals. He finished his NHL career with 179 goals and 191 assists in 647 games. He also represented the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where he helped the team win a silver medal.
Off the ice, Malone was involved in several charitable organizations, including the Ryan Malone Foundation, which supports children's charities in the Pittsburgh area. However, his career was also marred by off-ice issues, including the aforementioned DUI arrest and a 2014 arrest for possession of cocaine.
Overall, Ryan Malone had a successful NHL career, playing for two teams over the course of over a decade. He was known for his physical play and scoring ability, and represented the United States at the Olympics. However, his career was also marked by off-ice issues that ultimately led to his retirement from professional hockey.
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