Ryan Reaves is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey right winger known for his physical style and enforcer role in the National Hockey League.
Born on January 20, 1987, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he currently plays for the San Jose Sharks.
Reaves has built a long career as a tough, intimidating forward who protects teammates and contributes energy and forechecking on checking lines.
He is the son of former professional football player Willard Reaves and holds dual Canadian and American citizenship.
Siblings
Ryan has a brother, Jordan Reaves, who plays professional football for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League.
Jordan is considered by their father to be one of the most gifted athletes in the family and shares a close bond with Ryan.
Reaves also has an older sister named Regina.
Also Read: Brett Howden Siblings: Getting to Know Quinton Howden
Career
Reaves began playing hockey at a young age and developed his skills with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League after being drafted in the bantam draft.
He was selected 156th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
After signing his entry-level contract, he spent time in the minors with the Peoria Rivermen and Alaska Aces before making his NHL debut with the Blues in the 2010-11 season.
He spent seven seasons with St. Louis, establishing himself as a reliable physical presence.
Subsequent trades and signings took him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017, where he was part of a Stanley Cup Final run with the Vegas Golden Knights later that season after another trade.
He enjoyed some of his most productive offensive seasons in Vegas, including a career-high nine goals and 20 points in 2018-19.
Further stops included the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, and Toronto Maple Leafs before he was traded to the San Jose Sharks in July 2025.
Throughout his career, Reaves has been known for his fighting ability, leadership in the dressing room, and ability to shift momentum with hits and physical play.
Accolades
Reaves helped the Vegas Golden Knights reach the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, scoring key goals including the series-clincher against the Winnipeg Jets and a goal in Game 1 of the Final.
He has appeared in over 900 NHL regular-season games, amassing more than 1,100 penalty minutes, and has been a consistent presence in the postseason across several organizations.
Reaves’ legacy extends beyond statistics through his family’s unique history, he is a descendant of Bass Reeves, one of the first Black deputy U.S. marshals in the American West.
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