 Undrafted, Ryan played junior hockey with the Wexford Raiders of the OPJHL before committing to a collegiate career at Niagara University of the College Hockey America.After posting 19 points in his freshman year, he left in his following sophomore year for the higher level of competition in the Ontario Hockey League.In his second year with the Guelph Storm in 2003–04, he scored a career high 77 points on the way to reaching the Memorial Cup.