Johan Ryno’s development has hit another major snag.
The big Swede’s stock had already taken a massive tumble last season when he ditched scoring-line duty in the American Hockey League to be a role player in the Swedish Elite League. He hoped to regain his footing this year at Sweden’s second level, but a broken leg has that plan on hold.
Aftonbladet reports Ryno re-injured an August leg injury four games into the season with AIK and could be out until January.
Based on that return date and Sweden’s short schedule, this is shaping up to be another lost season for Ryno. He will have just one year remaining on the three-year entry-level contract he signed in 2007.
Ryno had a goal and two assists in four games with AIK. Last season, he had nine points in 30 games with Djurgarden in the Swedish Elite League. He also put up seven points in 12 games with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Red Wings hoped for Jonathan Ericsson-esque strides from Ryno when they signed him on the advice of director of European scouting Hakan Andersson. Andersson has projected Ryno as a potential “top two line” contributor who could be an “impact player” with the Red Wings.
Here are some other notes from last week.
— Defenseman Max Nicastro (Chicago, United States Hockey League) is off to an awesome start, with two goals and five assists in seven games, tied for the league lead among defensemen. He will represent the United States at the world junior A hockey challenge in Camrose, Alberta, from Nov. 2 to 9.
— Grand Rapids is off to a 4-0-1 start, and forwards Ville Leino, Justin Abdelkader and Mattias Ritola have been a big part of that. Leino has four goals and five assists for nine points in five games, tied for 11th in the AHL scoring race. Abdelkader has six goals in five games, tied for third in the league. Ritola, meanwhile, has piled up three goals and four assists in five games.
— Forward Dick Axelsson (Djurgarden, Swedish Elite League) has wasted no time shaking off an early-season shoulder injury. He piled up a goal and three assists in three games this week upon his return.
— The Red Wings sent Darren Helm back to Grand Rapids. He appeared in two games with the Red Wings but did not record a point.
