Ryan Lin

Ryan Lin (born April 18, 2008) is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Lin was drafted 21st overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2026 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Lin played youth hockey with the Delta Hockey Academy (DHA) in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. During the 2022–23 season with the DHA U15 Prep Green team, he recorded 17 goals and 24 assists in 27 games. He was also called up to the DHA U17 Prep team during the season, with 4 assists in 4 games. On May 11, 2023, Lin was drafted sixth overall by the Vancouver Giants in the 2023 WHL Prospects draft, signing with the Giants on the 18th. After signing with the Giants, Lin was assigned back to the DHA, playing with their U18 prep team.

During the 2023–24 season, he was selected to play for Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics. At the time of his roster selection in December 2023, he ranked third across all CSSHL U18 prep defencemen in points with 25 in 19 games. By the end of the season, Lin had 10 goals and 22 assists in 28 games, while also playing a game each for the Richmond Sockeyes of the Pacific Junior Hockey League and the Vancouver Giants.

Entering the 2024–25 WHL season, Lin was added to the Giants roster and quickly became a core piece, being placed on the first power play line and being on the first overtime line. Lin continued to impress throughout the season, earning WHL rookie of the week honors for the January 12–19 week, recording four points in two games. By the time Lin earned his rookie of the week honours, he had already broken the record for most points by a 16-year-old Giants defenceman, breaking David Musil's 32-point season in the 2009–10 season. By the end of the season, Lin recorded 5 goals and 48 assists in 60 games, becoming one of three rookie defenceman to record over 50 points in a season along with Scott Niedermayer and Landon DuPont. He was named one of six WHL players in contention for the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy; DuPont won the award on the April 24. He was also named to the 2024–25 CHL All-Rookie team.

Entering the 2025–26 WHL season, as a projected top-15 pick in the 2026 NHL entry draft, Lin had considered going the NCAA route but stuck with the Vancouver Giants. Lin began the season with two goals and eight assists through ten games.

International play In December 2023, Lin was selected to the Canada under-18 team roster for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics. He contributed one goal and four assists in four games, placing in fourth after losing to Finland 4–5 in shootout.

During the 2024–25 season, Lin was selected to the Canada White U17 roster for the 2024 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, recording one goal and one assist in five games. He was also selected for the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championships, recording one goal and one assist in seven games.

Throughout the 2025 offseason, he joined Canada's roster along with top 2026 prospect Keaton Verhoeff and top 2027 prospect Landon DuPont for the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He had two goals and three assists in five games.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2023–24 Vancouver Giants WHL 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 2023–24 Richmond Sockeyes PJHL 1 0 1 1 0 — — — — — 2024–25 Vancouver Giants WHL 60 5 48 53 14 5 0 2 2 6 2025–26 Vancouver Giants WHL 53 14 43 57 35 — — — — —WHL totals 114 19 91 110 49 8 0 2 2 10

Awards and honours Award Year RefCHL CHL All-Rookie team 2025