HCRI All-Star Defenseman to Join Hawks in Fall
Warwick, RI – Ryan Drust, a defenseman for Hockey Club Rhode Island (HRI) has committed to Roger Williams University for the 2025-2026 season.
An 04’ out of Wallingford, CT, Drust spent just one season in the EHL. He tallied two goals and seven assists in all 46 games, and added two assists in five postseason games. Drust also represented HRI at the All-Star College Series.
“It has been an absolute pleasure watching Ryan grow as both a player and a person,” Rhode Island Head Coach James Mello said. “He is just a quiet leader that does not need to be motivated. He leads by example and has become one of our top players and an amazing teammate. I cannot be happier for Ryan and the entire Drust family.”
Drust joins multiple EHL talents, including fellow All-Stars like Tyler Branish (NJS), Cooper St. Hilaire (ECW), and Daxton St. Hilaire (ECW) that will be joining RWU for their inaugural season.
“I am happy and proud to announce my commitment to Roger Williams University,” Drust said. “It is special to me, as it has been my number one choice since they announced NCAA hockey, so I am very grateful. At the same time I am so thankful to my family, teammates and my coaches that have helped me get to this point. Everyone here at HCRI has lived up to everything they promised and that is all a person can ask for. They care. I am looking forward to a great four years ahead at RWU!”
HRI General Manager Toby O’Brien also spoke about Drust.
“When we first started to recruit Ryan, I asked a former teammate at Trinity Pawling School, Brendan Feeley, who happens to be our co-captain, about him. Brendan’s response was simple: ‘the best kid, the hardest worker, the best teammate.’ That was all we needed to hear, heck with hockey. Ryan epitomizes everything Brendan said. His family gets it and just enjoys the ride. So happy for all of them and RWU is for sure getting a building block for their young program.”
To view the full 2024-25 NCAA commitment list, click here.
