BILOXI, Miss. � Former Mississippi Sea Wolves forward Michael Ryder of the Montreal Canadiens was voted to the National Hockey League All-Rookie Team. Voting was conducted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association at the conclusion of the regular season.
Ryder, 24, led all NHL rookies with 38 assists and 63 points. A native of Bonavista, Newfoundland, Ryder notched a total of 25 goals during the regular season, including 10 power-play markers and a +10. Ryder was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, which was won by Raycroft. The award is presented annually to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League, as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers� Association.
Joining Ryder are goaltender Andrew Raycroft of the Boston Bruins, defensemen John-Michael Liles of the Colorado Avalanche and Joni Pitkanen of the Philadelphia Flyers and forwards Trent Hunter of the New York Islanders along with Ryan Malone of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
On October 9, 2003, Ryder became the seventh of eight former Mississippi players to advance to the NHL. In 2001-02, Ryder registered 14 goals and 27 points in 20 games with the Sea Wolves. The 6-foot-1 and 195-pound Ryder was chosen to represent Mississippi at the 2002 ECHL All-Star Game, but was unable to participate after being called up to Quebec of the American Hockey League. Ryder was selected by Montreal in the eighth round, 216th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Sea Wolves 2004-05 season tickets are on sale and can be reserved with a $25 deposit by calling (228) 275-WOLF.
Mississippi opens at home on October 22 against the Louisiana IceGators at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
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