Ryan McDonagh is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on June 13, 1989, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up playing hockey in the state. McDonagh played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin, where he was a standout player and helped lead the team to a national championship in 2010.
After his college career, McDonagh was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He spent several years in the Canadiens' minor league system before being traded to the New York Rangers in 2009. McDonagh quickly established himself as a top defenseman for the Rangers, earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2011.
Over the course of his career, McDonagh was known for his strong defensive play, physicality, and leadership on and off the ice. He was named the captain of the Rangers in 2014, a position he held until he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2018. McDonagh helped lead the Lightning to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2020, where they ultimately lost to the Dallas Stars.
In addition to his success in the NHL, McDonagh also represented the United States in international competition. He played for Team USA at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, as well as at several World Championships and World Junior Championships.
McDonagh announced his retirement from professional hockey in 2022, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Over the course of his career, he played in 805 NHL games, scoring 72 goals and 252 assists for a total of 324 points. He was also a two-time NHL All-Star and won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2010 World Junior Championships.
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