DARREN RADDYSH’S PATH TO THE NHL WAS CARVED
Darren Raddysh took an unconventional route to become an NHL player.
He overcame many obstacles on the way to making his NHL debut on December 30, 2021, thanks to patience, tenacity, and unwavering determination.
The 27-year-old defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning never wavered in his belief that he could fulfill his long-held dream, even as he managed good fortune and bad luck.
“I had to work for everything I have accomplished in my life,” Raddysh remarked.
“I wasn’t drafted into the NHL or the OHL [Ontario Hockey League] in my first year of eligibility. I believe that my motivation has always come from a small flame inside of me, knowing that I could play with these guys and make it to the NHL. Knowing that I can be like these guys is what I have lived my entire life and hockey career around.
Raddysh was raised in southwest Ontario in a hockey-mad family with his younger brother Taylor, a forward for the Chicago Blackhawks today. The two developed an early love for hockey and would frequently spend hours rollerblading across their parent’s hardwood basement floor.
The walls were dented and scuffed, a constant reminder of how much time they had spent perfecting their craft.
Raddysh said, “I don’t think there was much wall left by the time we stopped playing down there.”
One wall had a large hole in it, so a mattress was placed on it. “You know you guys have to learn how to do this one day,” my father said to me as we were selling the house. Ideally, your children will return the favor. We had an amazing upbringing, with our parents encouraging us in all that we did. In addition to hockey, Taylor and I also played golf, baseball, and lacrosse. Anything we could do to avoid getting into our parents’ business
Raddysh was selected by the Erie Otters in the fifth round of the 2012 OHL Draft. He played in 272 regular-season games for the junior team located in Pennsylvania, and in his 2016–17 season, he was named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman after scoring 81 points in 62 games.
During his first two seasons with the Otters, Raddysh had the opportunity to play alongside his younger brother. He would also make friends with Connor McDavid, the future NHL star, in Erie.
Raddysh praised the four-time Ted Lindsay Award winner and first-overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Connor, saying, “Playing with him was awesome.”
The Erie Otters selected Raddysh in the fifth round of the 2012 OHL Draft. For the junior team based in Pennsylvania, he participated in 272 regular-season games. In the 2016–17 campaign, he scored 81 points in 62 games, earning him the title of OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman.
Raddysh got to play with his younger brother during his first two seasons with the Otters. In Erie, he would also become friends with future NHL star Connor McDavid.
“Playing with him was awesome,” Raddysh said of Connor, the four-time Ted Lindsay Award winner and first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Raddysh signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Lightning on July 28, 2021, the same month that his younger brother played for the team. This past August, he inked a two-year extension with the Lightning.
Though the outcome of his first NHL game that December would not be ideal for him, it was still a memorable experience.
“We were defeated 9–3. Many of the guys were called up, and many of them were dealing with COVID. It wasn’t a long road trip because it was in Florida. Even though Taylor had COVID that game, I was still able to play with him, and it was still an amazing experience to go out on the ice by yourself and complete a few laps.
That evening also brought back memories from his youth spent playing minor hockey.
“I always narrate the story. I had a stick back then that said “Stamkos” because he was coming.
One more memorable moment occurred in April when Raddysh participated in his first NHL playoff game.
Raddysh shined when the Lightning were down to four defensemen, recording two shots, five hits, and three blocked shots while his family, including Taylor, were present in the Toronto crowd. He played 23:37 minutes on the ice during the 7-3 Lightning victory.
Aside from supporting Tampa Bay in their quest for yet another championship, Raddysh would be thrilled to take on his childhood buddy in an NHL game.
“I would really like to take on Connor in a game. We’ll see how it goes, but I’m sure it will be a difficult task.
For the defenseman who never gave up on his NHL dream, just getting that chance would be a pleasure.
“I always tried to put my best foot forward and do the right things. There will inevitably be obstacles in my path, but I made an effort to act morally and had faith in my ability to succeed with hard work.
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