19 Days Until Boston College Hockey: Get To Know #19, Ryan Fitzgerald

Only 19 days to go: we're getting closer to hockey time!

#19, Ryan Fitzgerald, Forward

Class Year: Junior
Height: 5'10''
Weight: 177
Hometown: North Reading, MA

Before BC:

Played for the Valley Jr. Warriors (EJHL), and was named MVP of the first ever USHL/NHL Top Prospect Game. Played five games for the U.S. Nation Under-18 Team in 2012-2013. Played for Malden Catholic in high school.

Fun facts:

- Fitzgerald is cousins with Jimmy and Kevin Hayes, as well as Keith Tkachuk.
- Fitzgerald's father, Tom, is the Assistant GM of the NJ Devils, a position he previously held with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 
- Fitzgerald was drafted 120th overall by the Bruins in the 2013 NHL Draft.

2014-2015 in review:

Fitzgerald played in all 38 games as a sophomore, and recorded 25 points: 17 goals and 8 assists. His 17 goals and 125 shots led the Eagles, and he led the team with 7 power play goals. Fitzgerald also led the team with 5 game winning goals. Fitzgerald scored BC's first shorthanded goal of the season against BU. He recorded a hat trick on 1/24 against UConn, which included the game winning goal. He also scored the game winning goal against Harvard in the Beanpot Consolation game.

2015-2016 outlook:

Look to Fitzgerald to have a stellar Junior season. His offensive production should by aided by the arrival of some very skilled freshmen. Staying out of the penalty box will be important for Fitzgerald in the 2015-2016 season. He recorded 54 penalty minutes last season, second only to defender/tough guy Ian McCoshen. Fitzgerald is an important member of BC's power play unit, and if he can learn to channel his frustration into skating and shooting instead of taking penalties he should be able to increase his point totals.

Links:

Twitter: @RTF_19

Fitzgerald happy to see cousin, Jimmy Hayes, join the B's: More Eagles on the Bruins is always a good thing.

And a video uploaded by BCI's own Grant Salzano:

Next up:

#18 Colin White - Monday, 9/21