COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 15, 2007) – The Columbia Inferno announced the signing of rookie defenseman Ryan Gunderson (Holy Ghost Prep - Bensalem, PA.), who recently graduated from the University of Vermont.

that is great news,i wish that he had been switched to defense in his senior year of high school. our flyers cup final with ghost just might have gone a touch different. he was truly a special player.

Here's the back story: When Ryan Gunderson came to HGP as a freshman, the coaching staff knew he had played defense as a squirt, pee wee, etc, but were concerned that because of his size, if he played defense, high school opponents would try to dominate physically with bigger, older players. Ryan was a smart player, with great rink awareness and great passing skills, so we slotted him as a forward to help take advantage of those skills, allow him time to develop to the varsity level, and to help "protect" him as a young smaller player.

Once the line of Gunderson, Paul Worthington & Steve Biasini started clicking the next few years, there was no question of breaking it up. Occasionally, when our HGP defensemen got in a jam with penalties/injuries, we used both Gunderson & Worthington for a shift or two at D - both players would do anything necessary to contribute.

Nice article in today's Bucks County Courier Times on Ryan Gunderson.

Gunderson article

Looks like old Gundy is still at it.

The kid rises to the top wherever he goes.


Local hot shot with a fake canadien accent

I have to admit, while Gunderson is one of my all-time favorite High School players, I am surprised (pleasantly) at the success he is having. Great Job Ryan and keep up the good work!

Ive heard that Gunderson got called up to Lowell in AHL.