Topic: Ryan Getzlaf

Ryan Getzlaf (born May 10, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a centre and the captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and he played Junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen. He was drafted 19th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and he has been in the NHL since 2005.

Getzlaf started skating at the age of four and grew up playing numerous sports with his older brother Chris, who is currently a slotback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). While hockey was his main focus as a young athlete, Getzlaf also played organized volleyball, football and baseball. As a football player, Getzlaf played tailback. As a catcher playing baseball, he represented Saskatchewan at the 1998 peewee baseball nationals and earned several game MVP awards. He attended high school at Robert Usher Collegiate (since closed) in Regina, graduating in 2003.

Getzlaf was drafted into the Western Hockey League (WHL) by the Calgary Hitmen in the 3rd round, 54th overall, in the 2000 WHL Bantam Draft. After an 18-point rookie season with the Hitmen, he improved to 68 points in 2002–03. He was then drafted by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the 1st round, 19th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. After being drafted, Getzlaf returned to the Hitmen and played two more seasons with the team, including a junior career-high 75 points in just 49 games in 2003–04. In his final season with the Hitmen, he suffered a concussion after colliding with Red Deer Rebels defenceman Dion Phaneuf – the first major injury of his career – but returned to tally 54 points in 51 games.