Michigan defenseman Mike Van Ryn announced Tuesday that he will forego his final two years of collegiate eligibility to join the Canadian national team this fall.
“I am disappointed in his decision,” said head coach Red Berenson, “but hope he does well in his hockey future. I am also disappointed academically, since he will not graduate.”
In his 75 games as a freshman and sophomore for the Wolverines, Van Ryn tallied 14 goals and 41 assists, with 96 penalty minutes. The London, Ont., native was named to the CCHA All-Tournament Team in the spring of 1999 and played for the Canadian squad at the 1998 and 1999 World Junior Championships, serving as the team’s captain the second year.
Van Ryn had made no secret that he was considering a jump to the pros, openly discussing with the Canadian press his negotiations with the New Jersey Devils. New Jersey drafted the defender in the first round (26th overall) of the 1998 NHL entry draft.
