Local hockey player has big goal in mind

by Dan Holland

For Broadview Heights native Ryan Rucinski, a dream of making it to the highest levels of the hockey world began by learning how to ice skate at the tender age of 2. 

“My dad played hockey, and at a young age he got me out on the ice and used to being on skates,” Rucinski, 18, said. “Ever since then, I’ve always loved it.”

He now has his sights set on going pro, as he’s a candidate for the 2025 NHL draft, which will take place June 27-28 in Los Angeles.

A recent high school graduate, Rucinski took online courses through a public school district in the Youngstown area. He attended Padua Franciscan High School during his freshman and sophomore years, then moved to live with a host family in Canfield, Ohio, where he played hockey for the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League during his junior year. 

“I should play [for the Phantoms] for three or four years – depending on what happens – and then go on to college. There’s a chance I’ll go to Ohio State next year, as I’m guessing it will be one more year with Youngstown, and then OSU. But that’s not official.” 

Rucinski committed to playing hockey for the Buckeyes at The Ohio State University on a Division-1 scholarship heading into his junior year, just prior to being drafted by the Phantoms.

But that’s not the only credit Rucinski has to his name. He won a gold medal for Team USA as one of 22 players USA Hockey selected for the 2024 U.S. Junior Select Team that participated in the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta, held in December 2024. He scored two goals and had three assists in five games, including a goal in the championship game against Sweden, which aired on the NHL Network. 

As a center for the Phantoms, Rucinski had 42 points in 49 games – 19 goals and 23 assists – along with three goals in three postseason games, as he helped the team win the USHL Eastern Conference title.

Hockey runs in his family, as his dad, Jeff Rucinski, played hockey at Western Michigan University and subsequently played for a number of professional hockey teams, including the Cleveland Lumberjacks in 1998-1999.

Rucinski’s older cousin, Dylan Duke, was drafted in the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Another older cousin, Tyler Duke, played hockey his freshman year at Ohio State University before transferring to play at the University of Michigan.

Siblings include brother, Kyle, a sophomore who plays for the varsity/prep hockey team at St. Ignatius High School, along with sisters, Raina – a figure skater – and Ella, who currently plays hockey for the U14 Lady Barons. The Broadview Heights family sets up an outdoor ice rink in its backyard every winter.

National Hockey League Central Scouting ranked Rucinski as the 204^th North American skater in their final 2025 rankings for the NHL draft, set to take place June 27-28.

“There’s a lot that can happen, and not everyone will get picked in the draft,” said Rucinski. “I’m just focusing on trying to get better every day, but if someone calls and I get drafted, that would be great. But I’m not going to get too worked up over that, because even if you don’t get picked, you can still make your way to the NHL.”“Obviously, I would like to be chosen in the draft,” he continued. “But if I can play out my college career, and then hopefully be able to sign a contract with a pro team, that would be my main goal.” 

Photo caption: Ryan Rucinski has his eyes on going pro – possibly during the June 27-28 NHL draft in Los Angeles. The 18-year-old currently plays for the Youngstown Phantoms but has a scholarship to The Ohio State University awaiting him as well. Photo submitted.