Ryan Hitchcock won’t take his chance for granted

First, Ryan Hitchcock said it. Then, he did it.

After being invited to the New York Islanders’ 2017 summer rookie camp as a tryout, Hitchcock stated that his goal was to one day become a professional hockey player.

In May, following his senior season at Yale University and a tryout with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, the 22-year-old forward became one.

"It’s a dream come true," said Hitchcock, who signed a two-year AHL contract with Bridgeport. "This being my job every day, coming to the rink and playing hockey, I won’t take a day of it for granted."