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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, January 22, 2010 · 30 Ringwald makes it look easy RIT defenceman a candidate for Hobey Baker Award By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The first time Wayne Wilson watched Dan Ringwald play, he was a little concerned about what he perceived to be a lack of effort from the defenceman. "He looked lackadaisical," the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Tigers coach said. But the more he watched the young Oakville Blades blueliner, the more he realized how off the mark he was with his first impression. "It was more because he thinks the game so well that it comes easy to him -- or at least it appears that way," "I knew I could Wilson said. "Some guys have play junior, but I to work so hard, but he wasn't thinking processes things so quickly that he doesn't look like he's about a career after that." trying as hard." Ringwald has always taken a little longer than other play- Former Oakville ers to prove his abilities, but Blades defenceman those who have put their faith Dan Ringwald in him have been richly rewarded. Overlooked in the Ontario Hockey League draft, Ringwald didn't earn a full-time job in junior hockey until he was 18. Playing with his hometown Blades, he was the team's top scoring defenceman in DYLAN HEUER / COURTESY OF ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY his rookie season and the next year helped Oakville win RING LEADER: Local defenceman Dan Ringwald, the all-time assists leader in Rochester the conference title, when only a Game 7 loss to Institute of Technology hockey history, is enjoying another strong collegiate season with the Tigers. Stouffville prevented the team from going to the league championship series. Even Ringwald was initially unsure of his long-term prospects in the game. "I knew I could play junior, but I wasn't thinking about a career after that," he said. Though he was undersized in minor hockey, as Ringwald grew in stature, so too did his confidence. Colleges began to take notice of the 6-foot-1 defenceman and his ability to move the puck out of his own zone. RIT, coming off its first season in Division I * FREE DAILY SERVICE Morning and afternoon departures to Fallsview Casino *After $10 Casino Rebate Government Photo ID required Morning & Afternoon From Hopedale Mall WEDNESDAY & NOW SATURDAY EVERY From Carpool Lot Guelph Line, North Service Rd EVERY SUN, TUES, THURS, FRI & SAT Minimum 5- hour stay required. Valid government-issued photo identification and Players Advantage Club Card required to redeem offers. Offers subject to change without notice. Offers cannot be combined/substituted. Must be 19 years of age or older to board coaches for casino. 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In October, he scored a natural hat trick against the University of Connecticut, equaling his goal output from the previous season in a span of eight minutes and 10 seconds. With six goals already this season, he could equal the 10 he scored in his first three years combined. Ringwald has also continued to produce every year without the benefit of a veteran defensive partner. Wilson has always paired his secondyear captain with a younger player "because he's such a good influence on them." The T.A. Blakelock graduate has also set a good example off the ice, sporting a 3.76 grade-point average while studying business. On the ice, Ringwald's play has earned him a place on the initial list of candidates for the Hobey Baker Award, presented to the top collegiate hockey player. The first phase includes fan balloting (www.hobeybaker.com/voting), with 10 finalists being announced March 18. Ringwald said it's an honour to be included on the list, noting the added exposure can only help him as he continues to pursue his hockey career after his senior season at RIT. "The college game has gotten a lot better and more players are taking the college route than ever before and more teams are signing college players," he said. "I want to play pro. I have no firm plans. There may be some opportunities in Europe, but I have no idea where I'll end up." Based on his track record, Ringwald will be worth the wait.