Meet the only Latter-day Saint playing in the NHL — as far as Derek Ryan knows

A convert to the Church, Ryan looks forward to an opportunity to play hockey in the Beehive State

Published: April 27, 2024, 12:25 p.m. MDT

Edmonton Oilers center Derek Ryan celebrates after scoring the game-winner in a shootout of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings. — Edmonton Oilers center Derek Ryan celebrates after scoring the game-winner in a shootout of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. The Oilers won 3-2. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press

The Arizona Coyotes bid farewell to their desert home with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on April 17, closing the curtain on a 28-year run in Arizona before embarking on a new chapter of NHL hockey in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Despite the loss, at least one Edmonton player, center/wing Derek Ryan, was happy about the Coyotes’ move to Utah — for obvious and personal reasons.

He’s excited for Coyotes’ move because he knows people in the Beehive State are passionate sports fans and hockey will now be a more prevalent sport in Utah. He also has family living in the area.]

“It will be awesome,” he told the Church News. “I’m happy that more members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be exposed to NHL hockey.”

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