Ryznar grew up in Anchorage, leaving Service High School after his sophomore year to join the United States National under-18 team. After two more seasons with the U.S. Junior team, he enrolled at the University of Michigan in the fall of 2001 and helped lead the Wolverines to back-to-back Frozen Fours in his freshman and sophomore seasons. Ryznar finished his college career with 72 points (28g-44a) in 145 games and turned pro in 2005, spending three full seasons in the New Jersey organization and playing eight games for the Devils during the 2005-06 campaign. Originally a third-round pick (64th overall) of New Jersey in 2002, Ryznar became a free agent before last season and landed with Houston (AHL), helping the Aeros defeat Alaska’s AHL affiliate, the Peoria Rivermen, in seven games in the opening round of last year’s Calder Cup playoffs.