Ryan Schmelzer

Classroom

Ryan Schmelzer has excelled in the classroom during his time at Canisius. A three-time Atlantic Hockey Conference All-Academic Team selection, Schmelzer entered his senior season with a cumulative GPA of 3.47. He has been named to the Dean’s List at Canisius College on three occasions, including the Spring of 2017. He is on track to receive his undergraduate degree in May.

Character

Schmezler was selected by his teammates to serve as team captain for the 2017-18 season. He was an alternate captain on last season’s squad that won the team’s first Atlantic Hockey Conference regular season title and matched the program mark for wins in a season with 21. He serves as a liaison between the team and the coaching staff and also works closely with members of the athletic department in a variety of roles.

Community

Schmelzer is a valued member of both the Canisus and greater Buffalo community. Schemzler has worked with a variety of charitable organizations during his time at Canisius, including the Buffalo Bisons youth hockey program, the South Buffalo Community Table Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels of WNY, the Canisius Student-Athlete Advisory Council and the Movember Foundation.

Schmelzer has been a part of the team’s annual Movember campaign in each of the past three seasons, helping organize the team’s overall approach to supporting the men’s health initiative. During that time frame, the program has raised more than $5,000 for the Movember Foundation.

Schmelzer and his teammates also have been visiting local elementary schools this season to read to and interact with local children. The team has its sights on winning the school’s Golden Griffin Cup, which recognizes the program that completes the most hours of community service during the school year.

Competition

Schmelzer has excelled as a student-athlete during his career at Canisius. During his first three seasons, Schmelzer recorded 76 points (27 goals, 46 assists) in 111 games played. He was named an All-AHC Second Team selection after ranking second on the team in scoring with 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists) last season. He was also recognized as the AHC’s Best Defensive Forward last season, pacing Canisius with a +/- of +13 and a .510 faceoff winning percentage. He led the Griffs and ranked ninth in the nation in 2016-17 with five game-winning goals, helping the squad secure its first Atlantic Hockey regular season title and advance to the AHC Tournament semifinals for the fourth time in the past five seasons. A two-way player, Schmelzer entered his senior season with a +/- rating of +31. Schmelzer has also been reliable for Canisius, missing just five games during his first three seasons with the program.