Ryan, 31, was drafted in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks in the 7th round, 198th overall. He has previously played 145 NHL games with the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Carolina Hurricanes, amassing 4 goals, 20 assists, and 33 penalty minutes.
In addition to his time in North America, Ryan spent the last three seasons in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with the Malmo Redhawks. During his tenure with the Redhawks, he played 156 games, recording 16 goals, 47 assists, and 46 penalty minutes.
Ryan is expected to bring veteran leadership and experience to the Hurricanes, making him a valuable depth addition to the team's defensive lineup. Throughout his career, Ryan has also participated in 23 playoff games for the San Jose Sharks during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 seasons.
The move by Hurricanes General Manager Eric Tulsky aims to solidify the team's roster, as they look to build on their previous campaigns and make a deeper playoff run this season. Ryan's signing provides the Hurricanes with additional stability and depth on the blue line, contributing to their overall competitiveness.