Thursday, April 22, 2021

Jefferson Girls Hockey Coach Dead From Brain Injury

 The Bloomington Jefferson hockey community is in mourning after head girls hockey coach Mike Ryan died from a brain injury Sunday, April 18.  

Ryan was involved in a physical confrontation outside the downtown St. Paul bar Herbie's by the Park following a Minnesota Wild home game the previous evening.  He got into a confrontation with Ryan Whisler over social distancing and Whisler punched him, causing Ryan to fall down a flight of stairs and hit his head on the pavement.  Ryan was taken to Regions Hospital and died the afternoon of the 18th.  

Ryan served as the Jaguars head girls hockey coach since 2016.  He was a long time coach in the youth program.  

In addition, Ryan was a Jefferson graduate and played varsity hockey for veteran head coaches Tom Saterdalen and John Bianchi.  He was part of the 1989 state championship team that beat Rochester John Marshall on Chris Tucker's overtime goal in the championship game. 

He later went on to play college hockey for Gustavus Adolphus.  

HSGN sends out its condolences to the Ryan family as well as the Jefferson athletic community on Ryan's passing.  Who will be behind he bench when practice begins in late October?  Will it be assistant coach Josh Levine or will activities director Chad Nyberg hire someone from outside the district?  

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