Ryan O'Marra
Canadian forward; first Japanese-born NHL goal scorer.
Ryan O'Marra is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played professionally from 2006 until 2018. He was a first-round pick of the New York Islanders and played 33 games in the NHL. O'Marra is the only person born in Japan to have scored a goal in the NHL.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Centre
- Shoots
- Right
- Team
- Stoney Creek Generals
- League
- ACH
- Former teams
- Edmonton Oilers
- Anaheim Ducks
- Lahti Pelicans
- HC Fassa
- Vålerenga
- HC Pustertal Wölfe
- Coventry Blaze
- Born
- 9 June 1987
- Birthplace
- Tokyo, Japan
- Draft
- 15th overall
Facts from the source article.
Playing career
O'Marra attended Mentor College Primary School and Lorne Park Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario. As a youth, he played in the 2000 and 2001 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with the North York Rangers and the Toronto Marlboros. He played three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League for the Erie Otters, earning 95 points in 127 regular season games and 15 points in 15 playoff games. Drafted 15th overall by the New York Islanders in 2005, he became the first Japanese-born Canadian selected in the first round of an NHL draft. After signing a three-year contract with the Islanders in March 2006, he joined their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, scoring two goals in his professional debut. He was returned to the Otters for the 2006–07 season, then traded to the Saginaw Spirit in late November. On February 27, 2007, his NHL rights were traded to the Edmonton Oilers along with Robert Nilsson and a first-round pick for Ryan Smyth. After two seasons with the Oilers' minor league affiliates, he made his NHL debut with Edmonton in the 2009–10 season. He recorded his first NHL point on November 28, 2009, and his first NHL goal on December 26, 2010. On March 17, 2011, he was recalled to the Oilers due to injuries. On February 16, 2012, he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Bryan Rodney.
International play
O'Marra helped Canada Ontario claim gold at the 2004 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. That same year, he served as alternate captain for Team Canada at the U-18 Junior World Cup and took home another gold medal. He was on the Canadian under-18 squad that earned silver at the 2005 IIHF World U18 Championships. He also made the Canadian teams that won back-to-back gold medals at the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Ryan O'Marra born?
Ryan O'Marra was born on 9 June 1987 in Tokyo, Japan.
What position did Ryan O'Marra play?
Ryan O'Marra's position is listed as centre.
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