BIOGRAPHY

Ryan Whitney (born February 19, 1983, in Scituate, Massachusetts) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks.

Whitney enrolled at Thayer Academy, a college-prep school in Braintree, Massachusetts in 1998, and almost immediately drew the attention of the U.S. national team’s development program.
After graduating from high school, Whitney accepted a full scholarship to play for Jack Parker at Boston University. In his freshman year, he recorded 21 points in 35 games and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. He was then taken by the Pittsburgh Penguins fifth overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Upon completing his third year with Boston, Whitney made his professional debut with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Pittsburgh’s American Hockey League affiliate, in the 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs.

Following his debut in the AHL playoffs, Whitney joined Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the 2004–05 season, foregoing his fourth and final year of college hockey in Boston. Whitney played in 80 games in 2004-05, recording 41 points and 101 penalty minutes.

In 2005–06, Whitney made his National Hockey League debut with Pittsburgh and played in 68 games. His first NHL goal came on December 1 against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.
Whitney busted out in his second season for 59 points in 2006–07. The Penguins improved from a last-place finish in the Eastern Conference the year before, to a playoff berth.
Whitney’s posted 40 points in 76 games in 2007-08 helping the Penguins finish second in the Eastern Conference, and contributing 6 points in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, as Pittsburgh made it to the Finals against the Detroit Red Wings.