KAMLOOPS — Ryan Gropp had himself quite the 19-year-old season in Seattle last year — likely his last in the Western Hockey League.
The Kamloops native scored 34 goals during the regular season and another six in the playoffs, leading the Thunderbirds to the league final.
“For us to go that far was a pretty good time for us and exciting for all of our careers,” says Gropp. “I think we really took a step forward for the organization, and I think it’s going to be a competitive organization for years to come.”
But it’s an organization that will be without Gropp this coming season. Gropp is attending New York Rangers training camp for a second straight year, with plans to play with their farm team in Hartford.
“I think I’m going to start there for sure. Yeah, start in the American League and feel things out,” he says. “I know for me it’s going to be a big step up, and for me that’s my goal — to make sure I’m a regular in the American League and making an impact.”
But Gropp, who stands 6’3″ tall and weighs in at 220 pounds, knows he going up against bigger, faster players.
“Just the strength of the guys is going to be the biggest step for me,” he acknowledges. “The speed’s going to be a jump as well. I think for me, it’s going to be tougher with the strength. I’m really going to work as hard as I can to try to get as ready as I can.”
He would love to get the call up to New York at some point this season, but is focusing on consistency in the AHL.
Meantime, leaving his WHL roots behind will be tough, not seeing friends and family in Kamloops at all this year.
“It’s going to be pretty different, lots of new cities, and not going to be able to see my parents as much, so it’s going to be an adjustment for sure.”
