Ryan Suter is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who has had a successful career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on January 21, 1985, in Madison, Wisconsin, and grew up in a family of hockey players. His father, Bob Suter, was a member of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal.
Ryan Suter began his hockey career playing for the Madison Capitols in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before being drafted by the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in 2005 and quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman. He played for the Predators for seven seasons, during which he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2006 and was a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 2011.
In 2012, Ryan Suter became a free agent and signed a 13-year, $98 million contract with the Minnesota Wild. He has played for the Wild ever since and has been a key player for the team. He has been named to the NHL All-Star Game five times and has been a finalist for the Norris Trophy three times while playing for the Wild.
Throughout his career, Ryan Suter has been known for his strong defensive play, his ability to log heavy minutes on the ice, and his leadership skills. He has been a captain or alternate captain for both the Predators and the Wild and has been a respected voice in the locker room.
Off the ice, Ryan Suter has been involved in various charitable endeavors. He and his wife, Becky, founded the Suter Family Children's Foundation, which supports children's charities in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota and in Ryan's hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. He has also been involved in the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer initiative and has supported military veterans through the Defending the Blue Line organization.
In 2021, Ryan Suter was bought out of the final four years of his contract with the Wild, making him a free agent. He signed a four-year, $14.6 million contract with the Dallas Stars, where he will continue his NHL career.
Overall, Ryan Suter has had a successful and respected career in the NHL. He has been a reliable and consistent defenseman, a leader on and off the ice, and a respected member of the hockey community.
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