Ryan Shaw commits to RPI
The '05 left-winger brings skill, high work rate, and a powerful shot
Earlier this month, Ryan Shaw announced his commitment to play for RPI, joining Matt Hanscom as the second ’05 recruit out of Westminster Prep. Shaw and Hanscom, both Massachusetts natives, met in 2019 as teammates for Pope Francis Prep in Springfield, where they would play for two years before ultimately crossing the border into Connecticut to play for Westminster.
Shaw combines his playmaking ability with a high work rate, excelling in forechecking, winning puck battles, and converting those turnovers into goal-scoring chances.
At a tournament last December, NeutralZone scouts described him as having a “low base and powerful stride which he compliments with smooth hands and a powerful release” and “when he wasn’t putting pucks to the net, he was looking to create opportunities for his linemates.” On the defensive side of things, "he is the first guy in on the forecheck and battles for every loose puck” and he “gets his stick on loose pucks and comes out of scrums with possession.”
The “skilled power-forward with some speed” player profile is one that the coaching staff has really targeted in the past year or so. Shaw not only fits right into that mold, but also brings some goal-scoring potential along with it.
Like Stephen wrote yesterday, we are projecting Shaw and Hanscom to enroll in the Fall of 2025 after graduating from Westminster and playing a year of juniors.
Shaw has an exciting skillset and with another couple years of good development, he should fit right in with RPI’s style of play. Again, congratulations to Ryan and his family!