Ryan Graves Bio
Ryan Graves is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing at 6 feet 5 inches, Graves was selected by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 110th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He began his professional career in the American Hockey League before establishing himself as a reliable NHL defender with the Colorado Avalanche, where he emerged as a top-pairing defenceman. Throughout his career, Graves has been known for his strong mobility, physical presence, and shot-blocking ability.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Graves was born on May 21, 1995, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, to Ron Graves and Monica Brennan. He grew up as a childhood friend of fellow Nova Scotian Nathan MacKinnon, and the two often faced each other in local youth hockey games while also playing together on regional teams. In his early years, Graves developed a reputation in the Nova Scotia youth hockey circuit for clumsiness, largely due to his comparatively tall frame. Despite this, his strength and shot-blocking ability earned praise from coaches in the Yarmouth County Minor Hockey Association.
During the 2010–11 minor ice hockey season, Graves played for the South Shore Canadian Tire Mustangs, where he scored five goals and added seven assists. He was named the team’s top rookie and received the Scott Dee Memorial Award as the best rookie defenceman in the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League. That same year, he also made a single appearance with the Yarmouth Mariners of the Maritime Junior Hockey League.
Path to Professional Hockey
The Prince Edward Island Rocket of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League selected Graves in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2011 QMJHL Entry Draft. As a rookie during the 2011–12 season, he recorded two goals and seven assists for nine points, along with 34 penalty minutes. Graves later said that he had difficulty adjusting from minor to junior ice hockey as a rookie. By the 2012–13 season, however, he attributed his improved confidence to increased playing time, greater familiarity with the league, and the opportunity to learn from older teammates. He also practiced three times a week with a Newfoundland-based skating coach to address the coordination issues that had followed him since adolescence.
After boosting his offensive production in 2012–13, Graves drew the attention of NHL scouts and was selected by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 110th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The Rocket were rebranded as the Charlottetown Islanders for the 2013–14 season. Graves registered 12 points in 39 games with Charlottetown before being traded to the Val-d’Or Foreurs for their playoff push. In the postseason, he contributed eight points in 24 games to help the Foreurs capture the President’s Cup. On March 17, 2014, his progress was rewarded when he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Rangers.
Ryan Graves Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Graves was traded by Val-d’Or to the Quebec Remparts in exchange for Vincent Lanoue and draft picks. Serving as an assistant captain, he enjoyed a breakout season, recording career highs of 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points in just 50 games. He was named to the Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup All-Star Team after collecting five points in five games for host club Quebec.
In the 2015–16 season, Graves was assigned to the New York Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He made his professional debut on opening night, October 10, 2015, against the St. John’s IceCaps. Thirteen days later, on October 23, he scored his first professional goal and added an assist in a 4–3 win over the Syracuse Crunch. Known as a hulking defenceman with strong mobility, Graves became a fixture on Hartford’s blueline and was selected to represent the club at the 2016 AHL All-Star Game, where he won the hardest shot competition with a 103.4 mph slapshot. He finished the season leading Hartford defencemen with nine goals and 21 points in 74 games.
Colorado Avalanche Breakthrough (2018–2021)
Graves was traded by the New York Rangers to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Chris Bigras at the 2018 trade deadline on February 26, 2018. He was immediately assigned to Colorado’s AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, where he recorded one goal and six points in 21 games to close out the season. On July 17, 2018, the Avalanche re-signed Graves to a one-year contract. He made his NHL debut with Colorado during the 2018–19 season and scored his first NHL goal on January 4, 2019, against the team that had drafted him, the New York Rangers.
During the 2019–20 season, Graves emerged as a regular in Colorado’s lineup, primarily playing alongside eventual Calder Memorial Trophy winner Cale Makar. In a top-pairing role, he set career highs in goals and points and led the NHL with a league-best plus-40 plus-minus rating. On October 12, 2020, the Avalanche signed him to a three-year, $9.5 million contract extension. In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Graves played his 100th NHL game on January 22, 2021, in a 3–2 overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks. Used in a top-four role, he became a key part of Colorado’s penalty kill, finishing third in the league in short-handed time on ice.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2023–Present)
On July 15, 2021, with the expansion draft approaching, Graves was traded by the Avalanche to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Mikhail Maltsev and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In his first season with New Jersey, Graves set a new career high in points with 28, recording six goals and 22 assists across 75 games. In his second season, he appeared in 78 games, scoring eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points. His final assist of the season marked his 100th career NHL point.
After completing his contract with the Devils, Graves left the organization as an unrestricted free agent and remained in the Metropolitan Division by signing a six-year, $27 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2023. In his first season with Pittsburgh, Graves appeared in 70 games, recording three goals and 11 assists for 14 points. On March 29, 2024, he suffered a concussion in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was subsequently placed on long-term injured reserve on April 11 and missed the remainder of the regular season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Graves is known for his imposing 6-foot-5 frame combined with strong mobility for his size. His strengths include shot-blocking, physical play along the boards, and the ability to log significant minutes in challenging situations. He has been utilized in top-pairing roles and penalty-kill units throughout his career, demonstrating versatility and reliability in defensive situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Graves reached several significant career milestones during his time with the Colorado Avalanche. His plus-40 rating during the 2019–20 season led the entire NHL and represented a remarkable turnaround from his early professional years. His first NHL goal against his original draft team, the New York Rangers, marked a meaningful moment in his career progression. He also achieved the 100-career-NHL-point milestone during his tenure with New Jersey.
Ryan Graves Career Statistics
Graves has built a solid NHL career spanning multiple seasons with three different organizations. His most productive stretch came with the Colorado Avalanche, where he established himself as a top-pairing defender and posted his best statistical seasons. After accumulating over 100 career points in the NHL, he continues to be a reliable presence on the Penguins blue line when healthy.
NHL Highlights
Throughout his NHL career, Graves has appeared in over 300 games, accumulating more than 100 points. His best season came with Colorado in 2019–20, when he led the NHL with a plus-40 rating while recording career highs in goals and assists. He reached the 100-career-point milestone during his second season with the New Jersey Devils in 2022–23.
Junior and Minor Hockey Achievements
Before turning professional, Graves enjoyed success at the junior level. He helped the Val-d’Or Foreurs capture the President’s Cup in 2014, contributing eight points in 24 playoff games. During his final junior season with the Quebec Remparts, he was named to the Canadian Hockey League’s Memorial Cup All-Star Team.
Ryan Graves Family
Family Background
Graves was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, to Ron Graves and Monica Brennan. He grew up in the Yarmouth County area and developed his hockey skills in the local minor hockey system. His childhood connection to Nathan MacKinnon, another NHL player from Nova Scotia, provided him with early competitive experiences that helped shape his development.
Personal Life
Graves maintains a presence on social media under the handle ryangraves27 on Instagram. He resides during the hockey season in the Pittsburgh area while playing for the Penguins. Graves has not publicly disclosed information regarding a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented Graves with a challenging start as he navigated a roster transition. In October 2025, the Penguins placed Graves on waivers, and after going unclaimed, he was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The assignment came after he had struggled to regain his form following the concussion he suffered in March 2024.
Graves demonstrated his resilience by earning a recall to Pittsburgh in November 2025. The recall reflected his solid performance in the AHL and the Penguins’ need for defensive depth amid injuries and roster adjustments. His ability to bounce back from the concussion and the waiver assignment demonstrated his determination to continue his NHL career.
The Penguins continue to rely on Graves’s experience and size on their blue line as they work through the 2025 campaign. His versatility in playing both power play and penalty-kill minutes provides valuable flexibility for the coaching staff. As he settles into a regular role with the team, Graves aims to build on his recall and contribute consistently to Pittsburgh’s defensive corps.