Ryan Suzuki

Early Life and Junior Career

Ryan Suzuki was born on May 28, 2001, and grew up in a hockey family alongside his older brother Nick. His path to professional hockey began in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he was selected first overall by the Barrie Colts in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection. This high selection marked him as a premier prospect entering major junior hockey. Suzuki made an immediate impact in his rookie 2017-18 season, recording 14 goals and 44 points in 64 games and helping the Colts reach the conference semifinals. His performance earned him a spot on the OHL Second All-Rookie Team, solidifying his status as a top young player in the league.

In his second season with Barrie, Suzuki was named an alternate captain and led the team in scoring with 25 goals and 75 points in 65 games. The Colts were in a rebuilding phase and missed the playoffs that year. Suzuki returned to Barrie for the 2019-20 season but his campaign was disrupted by a serious injury on November 1, 2019, when he was struck in the eye by a stick. This incident caused him to miss over a month of play and resulted in a permanent blind spot in his right eye. After recovering, he was traded at the OHL deadline to the Saginaw Spirit, where he recorded 13 goals and 35 points in 23 games before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professional Career with Carolina Hurricanes

Suzuki's professional journey began when the Carolina Hurricanes selected him 28th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes in September 2019. He began his pro career with Carolina's AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, recording 5 goals and 10 points in 26 games as a rookie. The following season, 2021-22, he contributed 7 goals and 14 points in 34 regular season games and was part of the Wolves' Calder Cup championship team, though the playoffs were cancelled the prior year.

Injuries continued to challenge Suzuki's development. He began the 2022-23 season on Carolina's non-roster injury list before being assigned to Chicago in November. He played 50 AHL games that season, scoring 13 goals and 32 points. The 2023-24 season saw another setback with a shoulder injury in October, after which he was assigned to Carolina's new affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, upon his return. He finished that season with 14 goals and 30 points in the AHL and was briefly recalled by Carolina during their playoff run but did not play.

After re-signing with Carolina on a one-year, two-way contract in the 2024 off-season, Suzuki was placed on waivers and assigned to the Chicago Wolves for the 2024-25 campaign. His strong play earned him a selection to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. Finally, on January 30, 2025, Suzuki made his long-awaited NHL debut with the Hurricanes in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming the last first-round pick from the 2019 draft to do so. He played two scoreless games before being returned to the AHL, where he finished the season with 12 goals and 59 points in 69 games. He re-signed with Carolina for another year in July 2025 and spent the 2025-26 season primarily in the AHL, posting 13 goals and 48 points in 66 games and helping the Wolves reach the Calder Cup Final, where they lost to the Toronto Marlies.

Move to the Ottawa Senators Organization

After six seasons within the Hurricanes organization, Suzuki became an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026. On July 1, 2026, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators. This move marked a fresh start and a new opportunity within the Senators' system. Following training camp with Ottawa, Suzuki was placed on waivers and, after going unclaimed, was assigned to the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, to begin the 2026-27 season. This assignment positioned him to continue his professional development while providing organizational depth for Ottawa.

International Play

Suzuki has represented Canada on the international stage at the junior level. He was selected to play for Team Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an under-18 tournament. Suzuki was a key offensive contributor, finishing second on the team in scoring with one goal and eight points as Canada won the gold medal. His performance demonstrated his skill on a global stage against top competition from other hockey nations. Later, Suzuki was chosen for Canada's national junior team at the 2021 World Junior Championships. Although Canada advanced to the final, they were defeated by the United States, earning Suzuki a silver medal. These international experiences added to his development as a player.

Playing Style and Personal Life

Ryan Suzuki is known as a skilled playmaking centre, a trait he shares with his older brother. His junior and professional statistics highlight his ability to generate offence and contribute on the score sheet. A significant aspect of his personal and professional life is the lasting effect of the eye injury he sustained in junior hockey, which left him with a permanent blind spot in his right eye. Despite this challenge, he has continued to play at a high professional level. His relationship with his brother Nick Suzuki, the captain of the Montreal Canadiens, is a well-known facet of his story within the hockey world. The two are often compared, though Ryan has carved out his own professional path primarily in the American Hockey League.

Career Statistics and Trajectory

As of the start of the 2026-27 season, Ryan Suzuki's professional career has been spent predominantly in the AHL, where he has established himself as a reliable offensive contributor. His AHL totals include multiple seasons with more than 30 points, demonstrating consistent production. His NHL experience remains limited to the two games he played with Carolina in January 2025. His career trajectory exemplifies the path of many highly drafted players who require several seasons of development in the minors before securing a full-time NHL role. With his move to the Ottawa Senators organization, Suzuki continues to work towards that goal, providing depth at centre for both Belleville and Ottawa.

Questions about Ryan Suzuki

Who is Ryan Suzuki's brother?

Ryan Suzuki's older brother is Nick Suzuki, who is the captain and a centre for the Montreal Canadiens. The two are both professional hockey players drafted into the NHL, with Nick being selected 13th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017. Their sibling relationship is a notable part of Ryan's profile in the hockey world. Ryan is often compared to his brother, though he has followed a different developmental path primarily in the AHL.

When did Ryan Suzuki make his NHL debut?

Ryan Suzuki made his NHL debut on January 30, 2025, for the Carolina Hurricanes in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. This debut came more than five years after he was drafted 28th overall in 2019. He became the final player selected in the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft to appear in an NHL game. Suzuki was sent back to the AHL after playing two scoreless games with the Hurricanes.

What injury did Ryan Suzuki suffer in junior?

While playing for the Barrie Colts in the OHL on November 1, 2019, Ryan Suzuki was struck in the eye by a stick. This serious injury caused him to miss more than a month of gameplay during the 2019-20 season. The impact resulted in a permanent blind spot in his right eye. Despite this lasting effect, Suzuki returned to play and continued his professional career.

Did Ryan Suzuki win a Calder Cup?

Yes, Ryan Suzuki won the Calder Cup as a member of the Chicago Wolves in 2022. He was part of the Wolves' championship team during the 2021-22 AHL season. Suzuki contributed 7 goals and 14 points in 34 regular season games for Chicago that year. This championship is a significant achievement in his professional career.

Has Ryan Suzuki played for Team Canada?

Yes, Ryan Suzuki has played for Canada in international junior competition. He played for Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he recorded one goal and eight points as the team won a gold medal. He was also selected to play for Canada's national junior team at the 2021 World Junior Championships. The team earned a silver medal after losing to the United States in the final.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.