Ryan Stepien Reaches Lifelong Goal – Signs with Saginaw Spirit
Ryan was quoted shortly after being
drafted in the 3rd round by Saginaw: “It has been my goal forever to make it to
the OHL and hearing my name called by Saginaw is the first step,” he said. On
Friday, September 1, 2017 his lifelong goal was reached as he signed a Standard
Player Agreement and Education Package with the Saginaw Sprit. Stepien
played all of his minor hockey with the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs starting at the
novice level at age eight and finishing his minor hockey at minor midget
playing 34 games and netting 27 goals and 17 assists in the South Central
Triple A League. Ryan had a very successful Rookie Camp (5 goals and 2 assists)
and Main Camp (5 goals and 5 assists in the 4 scrimmage games and 2 goals in
the Annual Blue & White Game) with the Saginaw Spirit.
SAGINAW, Mich.
Friday, September 1, 2017
– Saginaw Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill announced Friday the signing of four players in advance of Exhibition action starting on Saturday night at The Dow Event Center.
The Spirit have come to terms on Standard Player Agreements & Education Packages with Camaryn Baber, Ben Badalamenti, Nate Boomhower, and Ryan Stepien.
“As an organization, we are pleased these four players have committed to be a part of the Saginaw Spirit family. By signing Camaryn, Ben, Nate, and Ryan, we continue to build our team with homegrown talent. Each one of these four players brings a different element that we feel will help our team be successful.”
Stepien, 15, was a 2017 third round pick, 41st overall by the Spirit out of the Hamilton Bulldogs Minor Midget program. Stepien registered 65 points in 55 games including tournament play during the 2016-17 season, and led the SCTA in goals during regular season play with 27.
Baber, 16, was the Spirit’s fifth pick in the 2017 OHL Priority Selection taken in the third round, 57th overall. He was the Northern Ontario Hockey Association’s Player of the Year during the 2016-17 season scoring 62 points in 32 games for the Soo Greyhounds Midget AAA program.
Boomhower, 17, was the Spirit’s first ever pick in the new Under-18 Priority Selection Draft. Last season with the Quinte Red Devils Major Midget, Boomhower scored 50 points in 38 games and led the ETA in penalty minutes with 107. Nate’s older brother Shaw is a member of the Mississauga Steelheads.
Badalamenti, 17, was invited to training camp as a free agent and showed very well during the week. The Harrison Township, Michigan native spent last season with Detroit Honeybaked Under-16 team, scoring 67 points in 70 games including tournament play.
All four players will play this weekend when the Spirit and the Soo Greyhounds meet up for a preseason home-and-home series. The Spirit will host the Greyhounds on Saturday, September 2nd at 7:05 p.m. when they take on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at The Dow Event Center and travel to the Soo on Sunday. For tickets and more information, log on to www.saginawspirit.com.