New York Rangers make Ryan Martin hire as Assistant GM official

Anthony Scultore Updated: Aug 25, 2021

hockey — Jan 26, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of a puck and the NHL logo and the face-off circle before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Detroit Red Wings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers have officially announced the hiring of Ryan Martin to fill the roles vacated by Chris Drury upon his promotion. He will assume the responsibilities of Assistant GM to Drury and GM of the Wolf Pack.

The longtime Assistant GM of the Detroit Red Wings was considered a close confidant to Steve Yzerman and will now bring his acumen to the Blueshirts.

Per Team Press Release:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has named Ryan Martin New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and General Manager of the Rangers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Martin joins the Rangers organization after spending the past 16 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings organization (2005-06 – 2020-21), including the last 11 seasons as the team’s Assistant General Manager (2010-11 – 2020-21). In addition, he served eight full seasons as the General Manager of the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins (2013-14 – 2020-21). Martin also served as the team’s Director of Hockey Administration for five seasons (2005-06 – 2019-10).

OFFICIAL: Ryan Martin has been named Assistant General Manager of #NYR and General Manager of @WolfPackAHL. pic.twitter.com/ExshXBjBfx
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) August 25, 2021

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Rangers hire Ryan Martin

Martin is a Connecticut native like Drury. He had been in the Red Wings organization since 2005, and prior to that worked as an NHLPA certified player agent. His main responsibilities in Detroit were CBA administration, salary cap management, player contract research and analysis, plus salary arbitration preparation.

He also served as the GM of Detroit’s AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. Martin should easily transition to the same responsibilities in New York.

Drury is also familiar with Martin for his work with Team USA. He was instrumental in putting together the junior team that won Gold including lobbying hard to have Brett Berard added to the squad.

“A lot of people say that this is a 19-year-old tournament,” Martin added. “I don’t believe that. I believe that if you’re good, the best players are going to have success there, and the evaluation group was really impressed that Brett as an 18-year-old was not intimidated by the older kids and not taking a back seat at all. And he stepped up right away.”
The Athletic

In the 2020 draft, the Rangers selected Berard in the 5th round, and although on the small side, has a great chance to play a role as a bottom six forward in the future.