The Games.org

Ryan Hollweg (born April 23, 1983 Downey, California) was raised in is a left-handed center for the New York Rangers of the NHL. His brother Bryce is an alternate captain for the Army (West Point).

As the son of a Brazilian father (of German descent) and Canadian mother, Hollweg chose hockey over soccer. Even as a young boy, he knew that someday he would be a professional hockey player. His mother would drive him to neighboring cities to attend hockey clinics. He left home at 14 to play junior hockey in British Columbia, and was impressive in scoring 54 points in 58 games in 1998-99 for the Langley Hornets (BCHL). In 1999, he was drafted #1 by the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL). There, he was known as both a scorer and a tough player, even winning Player of the Week honors twice in his four seasons.

The 5'11" 207-pounder was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 8th round (238th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Current Rangers coach Tom Renney, who was director of player personnel at the time, states that although he had doubts about Hollweg's small size, his heart was the difference. "You want to give him a try. You just don't discount the heart and the character of a guy like that. Because these kinds of people will themselves into those opportunities."

Hollweg missed most of the 2002-03 season due to a severe concussion, but bounced back to score 57 points in 2003-04. He spent 2004-05 with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL), and amassed 239 penalty minutes while earning a reputation as a gritty forechecker and occasional fighter. He displayed impressive intensity during the Rangers 2005 training camp, but some early penalty problems led to his demotion. Recent injuries have allowed him to return to the Rangers, where he has been part of a successful forechecking 4th line with Dominic Moore and Jed Ortmeyer.