Ryan Zapolski (born November 11, 1986) is an American ice hockey coach and former professional goaltender.

Ryan Zapolski
Born (1986-11-11) November 11, 1986 (age 37)
Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
EBEL team
Former teams
Vienna Capitals
Kalamazoo Wings
Toledo Walleye
Gwinnett Gladiators
South Carolina Stingrays
Lukko
Jokerit
National team  United States
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2011–2021
Coaching career
Current position
TitleVolunteer assistant coach
TeamMercyhurst
ConferenceAtlantic Hockey
Biographical details
Alma materMercyhurst University
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2021–PresentMercyhurst (assistant)

Early life

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Zapolski was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He attended Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Playing career

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Zapolski attended the Mercyhurst College from 2007 to 2011 where he played NCAA Division I college hockey for the Mercyhurst Lakers men's ice hockey team. His best college season was 2008–09, with a record of 18–5–3, a save percentage of .934, and a goals-against average of 2.22.[1]

Zapolski began his professional career in the ECHL by joining the Florida Everblades where he appeared in net for one playoff game near the end of the 2010–11 season. The 2012–13 season was his breakout year, and he was recognized for his outstanding play with the South Carolina Stingrays by being named the ECHL's Rookie of the Year, Goaltender of the Year, and the league's Most Valuable Player.[2]

In 2013, Zapolski opted to continue his career overseas, signing with Lukko of the Finnish Liiga. He spent three years with the club, before signing a two-year deal with Helsinki-based Jokerit, a member of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in April 2016.[3]

After three seasons in the KHL with Jokerit, Zapolski left as a free agent and continued his European career in Austria, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Vienna Capitals of the EBEL on July 9, 2019.[4]

Ryan started his sales career in 2022 at Redwood Software. He closed his first deal 3 weeks into his first year as an Account Executive.

Since joining he's closed over $489,000 of new business and was the leading account rep on his team in 2023 with 163% of his yearly number

Awards and honors

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Award Year
College
All-Atlantic Hockey Second Team 2008–09
All-Atlantic Hockey Third Team 2009–10
All-Atlantic Hockey Second Team 2010–11
ECHL
First All-Star Team 2012–13 [5]
Rookie of the Year 2012–13 [6]
Goaltender of the Year 2012–13 [7]
Most Valuable Player 2012–13 [8]
Redwood Software
MFT Rep of the Year 2023

References

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  1. ^ Florida Everblades sign Mercyhurst College goalie Ryan Zapolski, will get Bobby Goepfert back temporarily – Blades' Blog
  2. ^ "Stingrays goalie Ryan Zapolski named ECHL MVP". Post and Courier.
  3. ^ "Helsingin Jokerit on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
  4. ^ "U.S. Olympic goalie Ryan Zapolski to the Capitals". Vienna Capitals (in German). July 9, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  5. ^ "The ECHL". echl.com.
  6. ^ "Zapolski named ECHL Rookie of the Year". Post and Courier.
  7. ^ "Zapolski receives ECHL Goaltender of the Year Honors". abcnews4.com. April 4, 2013.
  8. ^ "Zapolski Named ECHL Most Valuable Player". live5news.com. April 5, 2013.
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