# Ryan Chesley

Ryan Chesley (born February 27, 2004) is an American college ice hockey defenseman for the University of Minnesota of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was selected in the second round, 37th overall, by the Washington Capitals in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

## Playing career

Chesley played two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, spending 2021–22 season with the under-18 team, and the 2020–21 season with the under-17 team.
On July 8, 2022, Chesley was drafted in the second round, 37th overall, by the Washington Capitals in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Chesley began his college ice hockey for the University of Minnesota during the 2022–23 season. During his freshman year he recorded two goals and eight assists in 36 games. During the 2023–24 season, in his sophomore year, he recorded two goals and six assists in 37 games. He led the league with 74 blocked shots. Following the season he was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team.

## International play

Chesley first represented the United States internationally at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics, where he recorded one goal and two assists in four games and won a silver medal.
The following year, he was named to Team USA for the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded one goal in five games. He again represented Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded two goals and three assists in six games, and won a silver medal. Team USA lost the championship game against Sweden, despite outshooting them 51–15 during the game.
On December 12, 2022, Chesley was named to the national junior team to compete at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament he recorded one assist in seven games and won a bronze medal.
On December 16, 2023, Chesley was again named to Team USA's roster to compete at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Serving as an alternate captain, he recorded one goal and three assists in seven games and won a gold medal. He skated on the top defensive pairing with Lane Hutson.

## Personal life

Chesley was born to Steve and Paula Chesley. He has an older sister named Rachel.

## Career statistics
### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2020–21 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 27 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 26 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022–23 | University of Minnesota | Big Ten | 36 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — |
| NCAA totals | NCAA totals | NCAA totals | 36 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — |

### International

| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2021 | United States | U18 | 5th | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | United States | U18 | | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| 2023 | United States | WJC | | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | United States | WJC | | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | 25 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 |

## Awards and honors

| Award | Year |
| College |||
| All-Big Ten Second Team | 2024 |