In this episode of Fortune and Faith, we sit down with Edmonton Oilers Center Derek Ryan—the NHL’s only member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—as he opens up about his remarkable journey of faith, perseverance, and purpose.
From humble beginnings in Spokane, Washington, where he grows up in the Catholic Church and is coached by his father on local hockey teams, Derek never imagines his path would lead to the NHL. With no draft selection and little fanfare, his goal is simply to play hard and enjoy the game—yet his quiet determination would take him all the way to hockey’s biggest stage.
Derek shares how his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shapes his perspective both on and off the ice, including the challenges of balancing professional pressure with personal belief. He also reflects candidly on the heartache of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, where the Oilers fell just one win short of glory in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers—a moment of deep disappointment that tested even his strongest convictions.
This is more than a story of athletic achievement—it's a story of spiritual endurance, unexpected success, and the role of faith when dreams are fulfilled... and when they fall just short.
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