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Ryan Suter
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Ryan Suter
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Ryan Suter (born January 21, 1985) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is also the owner of the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He has previously played for the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars. Internationally, Suter has represented the U.S. national team at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Key Information

Suter was born into an athletic family as his father, Bob Suter, was a member of the historic gold medal-winning 1980 United States Olympic hockey team that defeated the Soviet Union in the famous "Miracle on Ice" game. Suter's uncle Gary Suter was also a longtime standout in the NHL.

Early life

[edit]

Suter was born on January 21, 1985, in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.[1] to parents Bob and Diane.[2] He grew up in Wisconsin alongside his younger brother Garrett while their father coached at the University of Wisconsin and their mother worked as an ice hockey administrator.[3] Suter was born into an athletic family as his father was a member of the United States men's national ice hockey team at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games and his uncle Gary Suter was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL).[2]

Playing career

[edit]

Amateur

[edit]

Growing up, Suter played for the Madison Capitols and Culver Military Academy before joining the USA Hockey's National Development Team in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[1] Following a change to the NCAA legislature, Suter was able to enroll and play at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW) while remaining eligible for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.[4] He was eventually drafted seventh overall by the Nashville Predators in the NHL Entry Draft.[5] Prior to returning to the Badgers, Suter participated in the Predators conditioning camp ahead of the 2003–04 season. As he signed a contract with the Badgers, Suter was required to pay for his own room and board while attending the camp.[6] Upon rejoining the Badgers, Suter was selected as the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) preseason Rookie of the Year.[7] Although Suter began the season with one goal through six games, he was given an increase in defensive responsibilities on the Badger's rookie-dominated, power-play unit.[8] Suter finished his rookie season with a selection for the All-WCHA Rookie Team and All-WCHA Third Team.[9] While Suter re-enrolled at UW for his sophomore season, he signed a professional contract with the Predators on September 7. Due to the suddenness and inconvenience of the signing, as the season had already started, Predators general manager David Poile called the Badgers head coach to apologize.[10]

Nashville Predators (2005–2012)

[edit]
Suter with the Nashville Predators in February 2010.

After playing one season with the Wisconsin Badgers, Suter joined the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the 2004–05 season due to the NHL lockout. In his only season with the Admirals, Suter tallied seven goals and 23 points to help the Admirals to 49 wins.[11] Following his rookie season, Suter spent three days at the U.S. Olympic orientation camp before joining the Predators for their training camp.[12] He subsequently made his NHL debut, and tallied his first NHL assist, on October 6, 2005, against the San Jose Sharks.[13] Suter later scored his first career NHL goal on December 21, against the Chicago Blackhawks,[14] becoming one of the youngest defenceman to score his first goal in NHL history.[15] As the Predators made a push for the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, the team traded a first-round draft pick for veteran defenseman Brendan Witt. As such, Suter was limited to 71 games and 16 points during the regular season and saw no ice time during the playoffs.[16]

Suter returned to the Predators for the 2006–07 season, where he improved significantly from his rookie season. He tallied eight goals and improved to 24 points while skating an average of 20:09 minutes per game. As the Predators qualified for the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs, Suter appeared in all five playoff contests against the Sharks.[16] He tallied his first career playoff goal in the Predators Game 3 loss on April 16, 2007.[17] This would prove to be his only point as the Predators fell to the Sharks in five games.[1]

On June 16, 2008, Suter signed a four-year, $14 million contract extension with the Predators which commenced for the 2008–09 NHL season.[18]

Minnesota Wild (2012–2021)

[edit]
Suter with the Wild in February 2013.

On July 4, 2012, Suter signed a 13-year, $98 million contract with the Minnesota Wild. He and fellow free agent signee Zach Parise were introduced to the media on July 10 and were announced as alternate captains under captain Mikko Koivu.[19][20] Suter got off to a rough start with a –7 plus-minus rating in his first nine games. However, once he began pairing with rookie defenseman Jonas Brodin, Suter began playing to expectations and was among three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded yearly to the NHL's top defenseman. For the season, Suter averaged an NHL-leading 27:17 minutes of ice time as Minnesota reached the playoffs, where the team fell to the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round.

Suter scored his first NHL hat-trick on January 4, 2014, against the Washington Capitals; his first two goals came on the power play 38 seconds apart in the second period, and in the third period, right after his penalty expired, Suter scored his third goal on a two-on-one with defenseman Clayton Stoner.[21] This goal sealed what would eventually be a 5–3 victory for the Wild.

During the 2015–16 season, Suter set a franchise record for the Minnesota Wild with the most points by a defenseman in a single season. With 43 assists and 51 points, he also set a personal best in both categories. Throughout his tenure with the Wild, he has continuously been relied upon to play a large number of minutes including on the power play and on the penalty kill.

On October 19, 2018, in a 3–1 win against the Dallas Stars, Suter recorded his 500th NHL point, becoming the 11th American-born defensemen to reach the milestone.[22] Later that month, on October 25, Suter played in his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the 109th defenseman to reach the milestone.[23]

On July 13, 2021, the Wild bought out the remaining four years of Suter's contract.[24]

Dallas Stars (2021–2024)

[edit]

On July 28, 2021, the opening day of free agency, Suter agreed to sign a four-year, $14.6 million contract to join the Dallas Stars.[25]

Following the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, Suter was bought out of the final year of his contract for the second time in his career, becoming the second player in NHL history to be bought out twice (the other player being Tony DeAngelo).[26][27]

St. Louis Blues (2024–2025)

[edit]

On July 10, 2024, Suter signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the St. Louis Blues for the 2024–25 season.[28] As a fixture on the Blues defense, Suter primarily played in a third-pairing role. He played his 1,500th NHL game on February 8, 2025, becoming only the 22nd player to reach the milestone, and the third American-born player to do so.[29] He appeared in every regular season game with the Blues, posting 2 goals and 15 points in 82 appearances.

International play

[edit]

Canada's Jonathan Toews guards the puck from Suter during the 2010 Winter Olympics
Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2010 Vancouver
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2004 Helsinki
IIHF World U18 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2002 Trnava
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Gold medal – first place 2002 Manitoba

Suter has represented the United States in eleven tournaments, and has won three gold medals.

I feel it's an honor to wear the Team USA Jersey and every time I'm on the ice I play my hardest and give everything I have. Playing for Team USA is one of those things you look forward to. When I got the call and was asked to play on this team, it was an easy answer. It didn't matter who was on the team or who the coach was. It's just an honor to wear the jersey and compete for your country."[30]

On January 1, 2010, Suter was named to the United States' roster for the 2010 Winter Olympics. He was one of the team's alternate captains.[31]

In 2016, he was also selected to represent the United States at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey alongside Wild teammate, Zach Parise.

On April 19, 2019, Suter returned to the International stage for the first time in three years as he accepted an invitation to represent Team USA at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, held in Bratislava and Kosice, Slovakia.[32]

In 2020, Suter was introduced into the IIHF All-Time USA Team.

Personal life

[edit]

Suter resides in Madison, Wisconsin, during the NHL off-season. He is married to Becky Suter (née Palmer), who is from Bloomington, Minnesota. Ryan and Becky have four children together.[33][34]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2000–01 Culver Military Academy HS-Prep 26 13 32 45 38 — — — — —
2001–02 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP 8 2 11 13 21 — — — — —
2001–02 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 27 4 10 14 6 — — — — —
2001–02 U.S. NTDP U18 NAHL 35 2 10 12 75 — — — — —
2002–03 U.S. NTDP U18 USDP 42 7 17 24 124 — — — — —
2002–03 U.S. NTDP U18 NAHL 9 2 5 7 12 — — — — —
2003–04 Wisconsin Badgers WCHA 39 3 16 19 93 — — — — —
2004–05 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 63 7 16 23 70 7 1 5 6 16
2005–06 Nashville Predators NHL 71 1 15 16 66 — — — — —
2006–07 Nashville Predators NHL 82 8 16 24 54 5 1 0 1 8
2007–08 Nashville Predators NHL 76 7 24 31 71 6 1 1 2 4
2008–09 Nashville Predators NHL 82 7 38 45 73 — — — — —
2009–10 Nashville Predators NHL 82 4 33 37 48 6 0 0 0 0
2010–11 Nashville Predators NHL 70 4 35 39 54 12 1 5 6 6
2011–12 Nashville Predators NHL 79 7 39 46 30 10 1 3 4 4
2012–13 Minnesota Wild NHL 48 4 28 32 28 5 0 0 0 4
2013–14 Minnesota Wild NHL 82 8 35 43 34 13 1 6 7 4
2014–15 Minnesota Wild NHL 77 2 36 38 48 10 0 3 3 0
2015–16 Minnesota Wild NHL 82 8 43 51 30 6 0 3 3 4
2016–17 Minnesota Wild NHL 82 9 31 40 36 5 1 2 3 10
2017–18 Minnesota Wild NHL 78 6 45 51 34 — — — — —
2018–19 Minnesota Wild NHL 82 7 40 47 41 — — — — —
2019–20 Minnesota Wild NHL 69 8 40 48 12 3 0 1 1 0
2020–21 Minnesota Wild NHL 56 3 16 19 12 7 0 1 1 0
2021–22 Dallas Stars NHL 82 7 25 32 40 7 0 3 3 2
2022–23 Dallas Stars NHL 82 3 22 25 26 19 0 6 6 18
2023–24 Dallas Stars NHL 82 2 15 17 28 19 1 3 4 16
2024–25 St. Louis Blues NHL 82 2 13 15 24 5 0 1 1 0
NHL totals 1,526 107 589 696 785 138 7 38 45 80

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2002 United States U17 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 2 3 5 4
2002 United States WJC18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 8 1 6 7 12
2003 United States WJC 4th 7 2 1 3 2
2003 United States WJC18 4th 6 1 3 4 22
2004 United States WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 0 2 2 8
2005 United States WJC 4th 7 1 7 8 20
2005 United States WC 6th 1 0 0 0 0
2006 United States WC 7th 7 1 1 2 10
2007 United States WC 5th 7 1 2 3 12
2009 United States WC 4th 9 1 2 3 8
2010 United States OG 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 0 4 4 2
2014 United States OG 4th 6 0 3 3 4
2016 United States WCH 7th 3 0 1 1 0
2019 United States WC 7th 8 0 5 5 4
Junior totals 41 7 22 29 68
Senior totals 47 3 18 21 40

Awards and honors

[edit]
Award Year
College
All-WCHA Rookie Team 2004
All-WCHA Third Team 2004
NHL
All-Star Game 2012, 2015, 2017
First All-Star team 2013
International
IIHF All-Time USA Team 2020

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ryan Suter

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ryan Suter (born January 21, 1985) is an American defenseman who is currently an unrestricted in the National Hockey League (NHL). The son of , a defenseman on the 1980 U.S. Olympic team that won gold in the "," Ryan followed in his family's hockey tradition, with his uncle Gary Suter also enjoying a distinguished NHL career. Selected seventh overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Suter made his NHL debut in the 2005–06 season after a standout junior career with the U.S. National Team Development Program and the University of Wisconsin Badgers, where he earned WCHA All-Rookie Team honors in 2004. Over his 20-season NHL career as of November 2025, he has appeared in 1,526 games across four teams—Nashville Predators (2005–2012), Minnesota Wild (2012–2021), Dallas Stars (2021–2024), and St. Louis Blues (2024–2025), and is currently an unrestricted free agent—accumulating 107 goals, 589 assists, and 696 points while ranking among the league's leaders in average ice time for much of his tenure. Suter's defensive prowess and endurance earned him significant accolades, including selection to the NHL First Team in 2013 and a runner-up finish for the that same season as a member of . He participated in three NHL Games (2012, 2015, 2017) and reached his 1,500th career game on February 8, 2025, becoming the third American-born player to achieve the milestone. Internationally, representing the , Suter won gold medals at the 2002 IIHF World U18 Championships (where he was named Best Defenseman) and the 2004 World Junior Championships, along with a at the in . At 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) and 201 pounds (91 kg), Suter is renowned for his left-handed shot, two-way play, and remarkable longevity, having played over 30,000 minutes in the NHL despite entering his 40s.

Biography

Early life

Ryan Suter was born on January 21, 1985, in , to parents and Diane Suter. He has four brothers—Justin, Garrett, Jason, and Tyler—all of whom grew up immersed in the family's hockey environment. His father, Bob, was a defenseman on the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team that achieved the "Miracle on Ice" gold medal victory against the in Lake Placid. Suter grew up in an athletic family steeped in hockey tradition, with his uncle Gary Suter emerging as a prominent NHL defenseman who won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 1986, captured the with the in 1989, and earned selections to five NHL All-Star Games. The family's legacy extended to youth development in Madison, where Bob Suter co-founded the program and later established the Bob Suter Capitol Ice Arena to foster local hockey growth. From a young age, Suter gained early exposure to hockey through his family's involvement, often playing informally in his father's sporting goods store in Madison and traveling to practices in a family alongside his siblings. His father coached him directly during years, running summer hockey camps and instilling skills on local rinks when Suter was around 12 years old, including hands-on participation in building the family's ice arena. These experiences in Madison's hockey scene emphasized defensive playstyles inherited from the family's lineage of stay-at-home defensemen like Bob and Gary.

Personal life

Ryan Suter has been married to Becky Suter (née Palmer), a native of , since July 31, 2009. The couple has four children: sons Brooks and Beau, and daughters Avery and Parker. The Suter's maintain their off-season residence in , where Ryan was born and raised, underscoring his enduring connection to the area. This choice reflects a preference for a grounded, family-oriented lifestyle close to extended relatives, including regular brunches with his grandparents when in town. Suter keeps much of his personal life private, with few public disclosures about hobbies or non-hockey interests beyond family activities, such as skating with his children or simple outings. Suter and his co-founded the Becky and Ryan Suter Foundation, which has organized charity events like "Skate with the Greats" to support youth hockey. He has also been involved with the Memorial Foundation, providing equipment to underprivileged youth in Madison, and served as a community ambassador for , hosting fundraisers as of 2019. In business, Suter owns the of the USHL and has investments in , hotels, and other ventures in the Madison area as of 2018.

Playing career

Amateur

Suter, coming from a family with deep hockey roots including his father Bob's participation in the 1980 U.S. Olympic "Miracle on Ice" team, began his organized youth hockey with the AAA program in his hometown. He then attended for the 2000–01 season, where he excelled as a defenseman, recording 13 goals and 32 assists for 45 points in 26 games. Following his time at Culver, Suter joined USA Hockey's National Team Development Program (NTDP) in , playing for the U18 team that competed in the United States Hockey League (USHL) from 2001 to 2003. In the 2002–03 season, his final year with the NTDP, he contributed 7 goals and 17 assists for 24 points in 42 games, helping the team secure a gold medal at the . His performance in the program led to him being selected seventh overall by the in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Suter committed to the for the 2003–04 season, joining the Badgers of the (WCHA). As a defenseman, he recorded 3 goals and 16 assists for 19 points in 39 games, anchoring the blue line and finishing with a plus-17 rating in conference play. His strong debut earned him spots on the WCHA All-Rookie Team and the All-WCHA Third Team. After just one college season, Suter chose to leave the university early, forgoing his remaining eligibility to sign a professional contract with the Nashville Predators organization in September 2004.

Nashville Predators (2005–2012)

Suter made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators on October 5, 2005, in a 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he logged 23:45 of ice time and earned an assist on the team's first goal of the season. Later that month, on October 19, he recorded his first NHL point as part of Nashville's defensive core. Suter scored his first NHL goal on December 21, 2005, in a 6-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming one of the youngest defensemen to achieve the milestone at 20 years and 334 days old. In his rookie season, he appeared in 71 games, contributing 16 points (1 goal, 15 assists) while averaging over 17 minutes of ice time per game, establishing himself as a reliable top-pairing option alongside Shea Weber. By the 2007-08 season, Suter had solidified his role as a top-pairing defenseman, prompting the Predators to secure his services with a four-year, $14 million contract extension on June 16, 2008, which began in the 2008-09 campaign. The deal reflected his growth into a two-way force, highlighted by his performance in the 2008-09 season where he posted a career-high 45 points (7 goals, 38 assists) in 82 games, averaging 24:42 of ice time per contest. Over the next few years, Suter consistently ranked among the league's leaders in minutes played, emphasizing his endurance and defensive reliability while facilitating Nashville's transition-oriented style. Suter represented the Predators at the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in , where he skated for Team Chara and helped showcase the franchise's defensive prowess. He played a key role in Nashville's appearances in 2010 and 2012, logging heavy minutes against elite offenses; in 2010, the Predators pushed the to six games in the first round, with Suter averaging 24:21 per game despite no points in the series. In 2012, Nashville advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals, defeating the in five games before falling to the Phoenix Coyotes in five, as Suter contributed 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in 10 games while averaging nearly 30 minutes per outing. Across 542 regular-season games with the Predators from 2005 to 2012, Suter amassed 238 points (38 goals, 200 assists) and a plus-43 rating, anchoring the team's blue line during a period of consistent contention.

Minnesota Wild (2012–2021)

On July 4, 2012, Suter signed a 13-year, $98 million contract with the as a , pairing him with fellow U.S. defenseman Ryan Suter to form a formidable top pairing. In his first season with Minnesota during the lockout-shortened 2012–13 campaign, Suter played 48 games, recording 4 goals and 28 assists for 32 points, and was selected to the NHL Second All-Star Team while finishing as runner-up for the . Suter continued to excel as a minute-munching defenseman over his nine seasons with , appearing in 734 regular-season games and accumulating 55 goals, 330 assists, and 385 points with a +62 rating. He earned NHL selections in 2014, 2015, and 2017, and posted career-high 51 points in both the 2015–16 and 2017–18 seasons. In the , Suter helped reach the Western Conference Finals in 2014, contributing 7 points (1 goal, 6 assists) in 13 games, though the team fell to the in six games; he appeared in 49 playoff games overall with , tallying 19 points (3 goals, 16 assists). The Wild bought out the remaining seven years of Suter's contract on July 12, 2021, making him an unrestricted at age 36.

Dallas Stars (2021–2024)

On July 28, 2021, Suter signed a four-year contract worth $14.6 million with the , carrying an average annual value of $3.65 million and reuniting him with longtime friend and fellow U.S. Olympian . In his first season with during the 2021–22 campaign, following the conclusion of the , Suter appeared in all 82 regular-season games, recording 7 goals and 25 assists for 32 points while averaging 19:58 of time per game and providing stability on the blue line. The advanced to the Western Conference Finals that postseason, where Suter logged heavy minutes—averaging 20:59 per game across 18 playoff contests—despite his history of durability concerns from prior seasons, contributing 6 assists in the run. Suter continued his ironman streak in 2022–23, playing all 82 games again with 3 goals and 22 assists for 25 points, often paired with top defenseman to mentor younger players and emphasize defensive structure. His role emphasized leadership, as he averaged 17:15 of even-strength time per game and helped anchor the Stars' penalty kill. During the 2023–24 season, Suter suited up for all 82 games once more, tallying 2 goals and 15 assists for 17 points while posting a plus-14 rating and averaging 18:56 of ice time, but drew criticism for his declining mobility, which limited his effectiveness against faster opponents in transition play. Over his three seasons in , Suter accumulated 74 points in 246 regular-season games. Following the 2023–24 season, the Stars executed a of Suter's final year on June 28, 2024—his second career after a similar move by the in 2021—releasing the 39-year-old defenseman as an unrestricted and saving the team approximately $1.4 million in cap space.

St. Louis Blues (2024–present)

Following a from the , Suter signed a one-year with a base salary of $775,000 and up to $2.225 million in performance bonuses with the on July 10, 2024, to provide veteran stability and depth to the team's defense. In the 2024–25 season, at age 39, Suter exhibited exceptional endurance by appearing in all 82 regular-season games for the , tallying 2 goals and 13 assists for 15 points overall. He averaged 18:45 of ice time per game, primarily focusing on penalty-kill duties and offering seasoned guidance to younger defensemen amid the team's competitive drive for a postseason position. Suter achieved a significant career milestone on February 8, 2025, when he played his 1,500th NHL game against the , joining an group of defensemen with such longevity. The clinched a Western Conference wild-card spot with 96 points, advancing to the playoffs where Suter recorded 1 assist in 5 games. His contributions helped stabilize the blue line during the postseason push, though the team was eliminated in the first round. Prior to the 2025–26 season, Suter re-signed with the on a one-year contract. As of November 2025, he continues to provide veteran leadership on the Blues' blue line.

Free agency (2025–present)

No content necessary as Suter re-signed with the for the 2025–26 season.

International play

Junior career

Ryan Suter's junior international career began with the under-17 select team, where he contributed to a at the 2002 U17 Four Nations Cup in , showcasing his defensive reliability as one of the younger players on the roster. At age 16, Suter was named captain for a Four Nations Tournament in , marking an early demonstration of leadership within USA Hockey's National Team Development Program (NTDP), where he emerged as a top defenseman noted for his poise and puck-moving ability. In 2002, Suter helped Team USA secure gold at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship in and , , recording 1 goal and 6 assists for 7 points in 8 games while earning tournament Best Defenseman honors for his strong two-way play. The following year, he transitioned to the under-20 level at the 2003 in Halifax and , , where the U.S. team captured bronze; Suter tallied 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points in 7 games. Suter capped his junior international tenure with a standout performance at the 2004 IIHF World Junior Championship in and , , recording 2 assists—including both in the tournament opener against —for 2 points in 6 games as Team USA won its first-ever . Across his junior international appearances in these under-20 and under-18 tournaments, Suter amassed 21 games, 3 goals, and 9 assists for 12 points, solidifying his reputation as a cornerstone of USA Hockey's developmental pipeline.

Senior career

Ryan Suter debuted on the senior international stage for Team USA at the , where the team finished fifth after losing in the quarterfinals. He appeared in one game during the tournament, contributing to the defensive unit alongside established NHL players. In 2007, Suter played a key role in Team USA's 5th-place finish at the IIHF in , , registering 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) over 7 games while logging significant minutes on the blue line. He continued his international play at the in and , , contributing to a 4th-place finish with 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 9 games, showcasing his reliability in high-pressure international settings. Suter's most prominent senior Olympic appearance came at the in , where he helped Team USA secure silver after a dramatic overtime loss to in the gold medal game. Averaging 24:34 of ice time per game, Suter recorded 4 assists in 6 games and was instrumental in shutdown defense against elite forwards, often paired with to neutralize opponents in crucial matchups. Suter returned for the in , , serving as assistant captain and playing all 6 games en route to a 4th-place finish, where he recorded 3 assists while averaging over 25 minutes of ice time per game. Suter later represented Team USA at the in , where the team finished fifth following a semifinal defeat. In 2019, he captained the U.S. team to 7th place at the IIHF in , appearing in 8 games with 5 assists. Over his senior international career with Team USA, Suter emphasized a defensive style that prioritized limiting high-danger chances in major tournaments. In , Suter was honored with selection to the IIHF All-Time USA Team for his enduring contributions to American hockey on the global stage. Following in the footsteps of his father Bob, a gold medalist at the 1980 Olympics, Suter upheld the family legacy through his own Olympic achievements with Team USA.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Ryan Suter's NHL career began as a rookie with the in the 2005–06 season, where he recorded 16 points (1 goal and 15 assists) in 71 games played, establishing himself as a reliable defenseman with strong defensive play. Over the subsequent seasons, his offensive contributions grew steadily, peaking in the mid-2010s with the , where he consistently averaged over 40 points per season while logging heavy ice time, often exceeding 25 minutes per game. As a veteran later in his career with the [Dallas Stars](/page/Dallas Stars) and , Suter's production shifted toward defensive stability and mentorship, culminating in the 2024–25 season with 15 points (2 goals and 13 assists) in 82 games for the . Across 20 NHL seasons, Suter amassed career regular-season totals of 1,526 games played, 107 goals, 589 assists, 696 points, a +142 plus/minus rating, and 785 penalty minutes, reflecting his durability and two-way presence on the blue line. In the playoffs, he appeared in 138 games, contributing 7 goals, 38 assists, 45 points, a +12 plus/minus, and 80 penalty minutes, often playing top-pairing minutes in deep postseason runs with the Predators, Wild, and Stars. Suter's statistical progression highlights his evolution from an emerging talent to an elite workhorse defenseman, with standout seasons including 2012–13, where he posted 32 points in 48 lockout-shortened games while leading in average time on ice at over 30 minutes per game, and multiple years (e.g., 2013–14 and 2015–16) where he exceeded 50 points and ranked among the NHL's top minute-eaters.

Regular Season Statistics

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2005–06NSH7111516667
2006–07NSH82816245410
2007–08NSH7672431713
2008–09NSH827384573-16
2009–10NSH8243337484
2010–11NSH70435395420
2011–12NSH79739463015
2012–13MIN4842832242
2013–14MIN82835433415
2014–15MIN7723638487
2015–16MIN82843513010
2016–17MIN82931403634
2017–18MIN786455134-1
2018–19MIN827404741-8
2019–20MIN698404812-6
2020–21MIN5631619129
2021–22DAL8272532401
2022–23DAL8232225260
2023–24DAL82215172814
2024–25STL8221315247
Career1,526107589696785+142

Playoff Statistics

SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-
2006–07NSH510180
2007–08NSH61124-2
2009–10NSH60000-1
2010–11NSH1215662
2011–12NSH101344-3
2012–13MIN50004-5
2013–14MIN131674-5
2014–15MIN100330-8
2015–16MIN603343
2016–17MIN512310-3
2019–20MIN301101
2020–21MIN70110-4
2021–22DAL70332-1
2022–23DAL1906618-3
2023–24DAL19134161
2024–25STL50110-2
Career1387384580+12

International

Ryan Suter competed for the in multiple IIHF-sanctioned international tournaments during his junior and senior career, showcasing his defensive prowess and contributing to several medal-winning teams, including gold at the 2002 IIHF U18 World Championship and 2004 IIHF World Junior Championship, as well as silver at the . His statistics reflect a focus on assists and ratings, highlighting his role as a shutdown defenseman in high-stakes international play. Defensive metrics such as blocks and takeaways were not consistently tracked across these tournaments, limiting detailed analysis beyond standard scoring and penalty data.

Junior International Statistics

Suter's junior international career spanned the IIHF U18 World Championships and World Junior Championships (U20), where he tallied 34 games played, 5 goals, 19 assists, 24 points, and 64 penalty minutes. His points progression began with strong offensive output at the U18 level before peaking at the 2005 World Junior Championship, where he led all U.S. defensemen in scoring.
TournamentYearGPGAPPIM
IIHF U18 World Championship2002816712
IIHF U18 World Championship2003613422
IIHF World Junior Championship (U20)200372132
IIHF World Junior Championship (U20)200460228
IIHF World Junior Championship (U20)2005717820
Junior Total345192464

Senior International Statistics

In senior competition, Suter appeared in 57 games across World Championships, Olympics, and the , recording 4 goals, 21 assists, 25 points, and 42 penalty minutes. His production emphasized playmaking from the blue line, with cumulative points building steadily through repeated appearances and peaking during the 2010 Olympics, where he posted a +9 rating.
TournamentYearGPGAPPIM
200510000
2006711210
2007712312
200871232
200991238
Winter Olympics201060442
Winter Olympics201460334
201730110
201630110
201980554
Senior Total574212542
Career StageGPGAPPIM
Overall International Total9194049106

Awards and honors

NHL

During his NHL career, Ryan Suter has earned several individual accolades recognizing his defensive prowess and durability. Suter was selected to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2013 following the 2012–13 season, where he led the league in average time on ice per game (27:16) and recorded 34 points in 48 games despite a lockout-shortened ; he became the first player to receive this honor. He also finished as runner-up for the that year, awarded to the league's top defenseman, earning 65 first-place votes but finishing behind . Suter participated in the NHL three times, representing the in 2012 and the in 2015 and 2017; in the 2012 game, he logged significant ice time as part of the winning Western Conference team. In his season of 2005–06 with the Predators, Suter finished 15th in voting for the , recognizing the NHL's top , highlighting his early impact with 20 points in 80 games. Suter reached the 1,500-game milestone on February 8, 2025, becoming the seventh defenseman and third American-born player to achieve it; the honored him with a pre-game ceremony and tribute video on February 23, 2025, prior to a matchup against the . In recognition of his perseverance after being bought out twice and signing a one-year deal with the at age 39, Suter was named the team's nominee for the 2024–25 , though ultimately won the award.

International and other

Suter's international career with the spanned 11 tournaments, beginning with the IIHF World U18 Championships in 2002 and concluding with the Olympics in 2014. In 2002, at the IIHF World U18 Championships in , , Suter contributed to the gold medal-winning team and was named the tournament's best defenseman, recording one goal and six assists in seven games. Two years later, he helped secure gold at the 2004 IIHF World U20 Championships in Helsinki, Finland, serving as an alternate captain and recording 0 goals and 2 assists in 6 games. At the senior level, Suter earned a as an assistant captain with Team USA at the in , where he logged significant ice time over six games. Although the U.S. team did not medal at the IIHF World Championships in 2005, 2006, 2007, or 2009—finishing fourth in 2009—Suter's consistent participation underscored his reliability in international play. In recognition of his overall contributions, Suter was selected to the IIHF All-Time USA Team in 2020, honoring his medal wins and extensive service across multiple competitions. Beyond international play, Suter received the Bob Johnson Award from in 2003 for excellence in international competition during the 2002-03 season. During his single college season at the University of Wisconsin in 2003-04, he was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team after posting three goals and 16 assists in 39 games for the Badgers.

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/player/ryan-suter-8470600
  2. https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/_/id/3047/ryan-suter
  3. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/olympics-is-a-suter-family-tradition
  4. https://www.nhlpa.com/news/suter-family-leaves-american-mark-on-nhl-blueline/
  5. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/s/suterry01.html
  6. https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/latest-news/former-blues-defenseman-remains-without-a-contract-isnt-forcing-it
  7. https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/players/565842/ryan-suter/
  8. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/8897/ryan-suter
  9. https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/bio/_/id/3047/ryan-suter
  10. https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/ryan-suter-parents
  11. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/ryan-suter-on-passing-of-his-father-my-dad-was-my-hero
  12. https://www.si.com/nhl/2014/09/09/bob-suter-member-miracle-ice-team-passes-away-57
  13. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/ryan-suter-for-my-dad
  14. https://badgerherald.com/sports/2005/01/17/suter-making-mark-wi/
  15. https://captimes.com/sports/madison-native-now-with-st-louis-blues-carries-on-dads-legacy/article_770e4cfc-4519-11ef-9493-d35cdc8a8fbd.html
  16. https://www.thedickinsonpress.com/sports/suter-returns-to-boyhood-rink-for-fathers-legacy
  17. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2022/12/1/mens-hockey-from-choirs-to-the-coliseum-suter-family-legacy-lives-on
  18. https://thehockeywriters.com/docs/ryan-suter/
  19. https://www.whosdatedwho.com/dating/ryan-suter-and-becky-palmer
  20. https://www.playerwives.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/ryan-suters-wife-becky-suter/
  21. https://www.nhl.com/news/ryan-suter-kids-help-blues-celebrate-1500-nhl-games
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  23. https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/ryan-suter-wife
  24. https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/ryan-suter-house
  25. https://www.facebook.com/minnesotawild/videos/2018-skate-with-the-greats/504871419981297/
  26. https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/ryan-suter-named-community-ambassador-for-ronald-mcdonald-house/c-745409
  27. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/611896/2018/10/25/ryan-suter-wild-1000-games-business-interests-tom-sagissor/
  28. https://www.madisoncapitols.com.app.crossbar.org/about/history/29166
  29. https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/ryan-suter-918135
  30. https://uwbadgers.com/story.aspx?filename=Four_Men_s_Hockey_Badgers_Honored_by_the_WCHA&file_date=3-18-2004
  31. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2004/9/8/Suter_to_Leave_School_Early.aspx
  32. https://records.nhl.com/nsh/records/skater-records/youngest-players/youngest-players-first-nhl-goal
  33. https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/this-month-in-smashville-history-january
  34. https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/2010-chicago-blackhawks-vs-nashville-predators-western-conference-quarter-finals.html
  35. https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/2012-nashville-predators-vs-phoenix-coyotes-western-conference-semi-finals.html
  36. https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-buy-out-ryan-suter-contract
  37. https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31905327/sources-dallas-stars-add-veteran-ryan-suter-4-year-146-million-deal
  38. https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/stars/2021/08/10/5-things-to-know-about-ryan-suter-including-his-longtime-friendship-with-stars-center-joe-pavelski/
  39. https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/ryan-suter-player-stats?category=icetime&season=2022
  40. https://www.nhl.com/stars/stats/20232024/2
  41. https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/nhl/3-reasons-dallas-stars-need-buy-ryan-suter-offseason
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  44. https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/ryan-suter-agrees-to-1-year-contract-with-blues
  45. https://puckpedia.com/signing/9258
  46. https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/teams/st-louis-blues-defensemen-2024-25-nhl-stats.html
  47. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000362025.html
  48. https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/st-louis-blues-inside-look-for-2024-25-season-32-in-32-x5050
  49. https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/suter-set-to-play-in-1-500-nhl-games
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJRrS1-Zrys
  51. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/st-louis-blues-clinch-spot-024852112.html
  52. https://www.flashscoreusa.com/player/suter-ryan/dvukVKW3/
  53. https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/st-louis-blues-roster-changes-for-2025-26-season-x0614
  54. https://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2012/04/21/april-21-2002-the-beginning-of-a-revolution/
  55. https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/563302
  56. https://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u18/en/teams/team-usa-defensemen-2002-wjc-u18-stats.html
  57. https://www.quanthockey.com/wjc-u20/en/teams/team-usa-players-2003-wjc-u20-stats.html
  58. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2004/12/27/USA_Wins_World_Juniors_Opener_Against_Russia
  59. https://www.hockeydb.com/tournaments/t-42de2d.html
  60. https://www.quanthockey.com/whc/en/teams/team-usa-players-2007-whc-stats.html
  61. https://www.quanthockey.com/whc/en/seasons/2009-whc-defensemen-stats.html
  62. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/ryan-suter
  63. https://www.quanthockey.com/olympics/en/seasons/2010-olympics-players-stats.html
  64. https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2020/wm/news/18730/all-time-usa-team
  65. https://www.quanthockey.com/hockey-stats/en/profile.php?player=5771
  66. https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/wild/wilds-suter-named-to-nhls-first-all-star-team
  67. https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/p-k-subban-won-norris-trophy-234859725.html
  68. https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/ryan-suter-achieves-1-500-career-game-6369236774112
  69. https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/suter-nominated-for-masterton-trophy
  70. https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-sean-monahan-wins-2025-masterton-trophy
  71. https://www.eliteprospects.com/awards/u18-wjc?name=U18%2BWJC%2BBest%2BDefenseman
  72. https://teamusa.usahockey.com/page/show/2940340-2004-wjc-u-s-national-junior-team-statistics
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