Revealed!! Surprising facts you probably didn’t know about Ryan Oulahen.

Ryan Oulahen is a former Canadian ice hockey player and current coach, best known for his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL and his coaching career in the OHL. While he may not be a household name, here are some lesser-known or surprising facts about him:

1. Early Retirement Due to Injury – Oulahen had to retire from professional hockey at just 25 years old due to a severe hip injury, cutting his playing career short.
2. Drafted but Never Played in the NHL – He was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 5th round of the 2003 NHL Draft but never made it to the NHL, spending his entire pro career in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
3. Quick Transition to Coaching – After retiring, Oulahen immediately transitioned into coaching, showing a strong passion for player development. He became an assistant coach for the Brampton Battalion (later North Bay Battalion) in the OHL and eventually took over as head coach.
4. Captain at a Young Age – He was named captain of the Grand Rapids Griffins at just 22 years old, showing leadership qualities early in his career.
5. Coaching Comeback – After leaving his position as head coach of the North Bay Battalion in 2019, Oulahen made a coaching comeback in 2020, becoming the head coach of the Flint Firebirds in the OHL.

6. One of the Youngest OHL Coaches – When he became the head coach of the North Bay Battalion in 2016, Oulahen was just 31 years old, making him one of the youngest head coaches in the Ontario Hockey League at the time.
7. Brief Hiatus from Coaching – After stepping down from North Bay due to personal reasons in 2019, he took a short break from coaching before returning to the OHL with the Flint Firebirds in 2020.
8. Played in the Memorial Cup – As a player with the Brampton Battalion in the OHL, Oulahen played a key role in helping the team reach deep into the playoffs, though they never captured a championship.
9. Known for Developing Young Talent – His coaching style is centered around player development, and he’s helped shape multiple NHL prospects during his time in the OHL, including Ty Dellandrea and Brennan Othmann.
10. Respected for Defensive Systems – Even as a player, Oulahen was known for his strong two-way game. As a coach, he emphasizes structure and responsible play, making him a respected figure in junior hockey circles.
11. Deep Detroit Red Wings Ties – Despite never playing in the NHL, Oulahen remained connected to the Red Wings organization through his time in Grand Rapids, where he played under future NHL coaches like Mike Babcock and Jeff Blashill.
12. Michigan Connection – Although he’s Canadian, Oulahen spent a significant part of his career in Michigan, both as a player with Grand Rapids and later as a coach with Flint.
13. Became a Firebirds Franchise Stabilizer – After Flint’s turbulent past with ownership and coaching changes, Oulahen brought much-needed stability to the team, guiding them to one of their best seasons in history.
14. Once Played With Future NHL Stars – During his OHL days, Oulahen played alongside players who went on to have successful NHL careers, including Wojtek Wolski and Jay Harrison.
15. Quiet but Impactful Hockey Mind – Though not often in the media spotlight, Oulahen has built a solid reputation as a player’s coach, focusing on mentorship and long-term development.