University of Michigan Wolverines (1997–1999)

Van Ryn played with the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1997-98, where in 38 games, he scored four goals and 18 points. He helped the team win the National Championship, as Michigan defeated Boston College 3–2 in overtime in the final game.

Van Ryn returned to Michigan for the 1998–99 season, as he scored 10 goals and 23 points in 37 games. His 10 goals led all defensemen on the team.

Sarnia Sting (1999–2000)

Van Ryn joined the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League for the 1999–2000 season. He was drafted by the Sting in the eighth round, 133rd overall, in the 1996 OHL Priority Selection.

He made his OHL debut on September 24, 1999, as he was held off the score sheet in 2–2 tie against the Plymouth Whalers. On September 26, Van Ryn earned his first point, an assist, in a 6–1 win over the Oshawa Generals. On October 15, Van Ryn scored his first OHL goal against Brian Finley of the Barrie Colts. He added two assists in the game, for an OHL career high three points in the game.

He finished the year playing in 61 games, scoring six goals and 41 points, finishing fifth in overall team scoring. In seven playoff games, Van Ryn earned five assists.

New Jersey Devils (1998–2000)

Van Ryn was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the first round, 26th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. In June 2000, through a loophole, Van Ryn signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues. NHL teams retain the rights of drafted college players until they leave the school. Van Ryn challenged this practice in court and an arbitrator ruled that a player drafted off a college team could play one season of major junior hockey and then become a free agent. Thus after two years at the University of Michigan, Van Ryn went on to play one year for Sarnia Sting, and then became a free agent, which allowed him to sign a three-year deal with St. Louis.^[1]

St. Louis Blues (2000–2003)

Van Ryn appeared in his first NHL game on October 5, 2000 with the St. Louis Blues, getting 13:43 of ice time, however, he finished with no points and a -2 rating, as the Blues lost to the Phoenix Coyotes 4-1. It would be the only NHL game that Van Ryn would appear in during the 2000–01 season.

Van Ryn played in 37 games with the Worcester IceCats of the American Hockey League, scoring three goals and 13 points during the 2000–01. In seven playoff games, Van Ryn scored a goal and an assist.

He began the 2001–02 season with the IceCats, appearing in 24 games, scoring two goals and nine points. Van Ryn was called up to the Blues in December, and spent the remainder of the 2001–02 season in the NHL.

On January 1, Van Ryn earned his first career NHL point, an assist on a goal by Doug Weight, as the Blues lost to the New Jersey Devils 2–1. Van Ryn scored his first career NHL goal on January 23 against Martin Biron of the Buffalo Sabres in a 5–2 Blues victory. On March 17, he recorded his first multi-point game, scoring a goal and an assist in a 3-2 victory over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. In 48 games with St. Louis, Van Ryn had two goals and 10 points. Van Ryn played in his first career playoff game on April 20, as he did not record a point in a 2-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. In nine playoff games, Van Ryn was held scoreless, as the Blues lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the post-season.

Van Ryn began the 2002–03 with St. Louis. He struggled in his time with the Blues, as in 20 games, he did not score a goal and had three assists. The Blues sent Van Ryn down to the IceCats in December. With Worcester, Van Ryn scored two goals and 10 points in 33 games.

On March 11, 2003, the Blues traded Van Ryn to the Florida Panthers for Valeri Bure and Florida's fifth round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Florida Panthers (2003–2008)

Van Ryn finished the 2002–03 season with the Florida Panthers' AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. In 11 games with the Rampage, Van Ryn earned three assists. In the playoffs, he had no points in three games.

In 2003–04, Van Ryn spent the entire season in the NHL with the Panthers. He made his Panthers debut on October 9, getting no points in a 3–1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. On October 13, Van Ryn earned his first two points with the Panthers, both assists, in a 2–2 tie against the Carolina Hurricanes. He earned his first goal with the Panthers on October 15, scoring against Sean Burke of the Phoenix Coyotes in a 2–1 loss. On April 4, Van Ryn recorded his first career three point game, all assists, in a 6–6 tie against the Carolina Hurricanes. Van Ryn finished the season with 13 goals and 37 points in 79 games, the most by any Panthers defenseman, and third in overall team scoring. The Panthers failed to reach the post-season.

The 2004–05 NHL season was cancelled due to the 2004 NHL lockout.

Van Ryn returned to the Panthers for the 2005-06 season. On October 15, he earned three assists in a 3–2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, and then on February 28, Van Ryn earned his third career three point game, earning three assists in a lopsided 8–2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. On April 18, Van Ryn scored his first multi-goal game, scoring both of the Panthers goals in a 2–1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers. In 80 games, Van Ryn scored eight goals and matched his career high 37 points, however, the club failed to reach the post-season.

In 2006–07, Van Ryn struggled offensively, scoring only four goals and 29 points in 78 games, as the Panthers once again failed to make the playoffs.

Van Ryn continued to struggle in the 2007–08 season, appearing in only 20 games, and earning two assists. His season was cut short due to wrist surgery.

On September 2, 2008, Van Ryn was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Bryan McCabe and Toronto's fourth round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Toronto Maple Leafs (2008–2010)

Van Ryn made his Maple Leafs debut on October 9, 2008, getting no points in a 3–2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. On October 11, Van Ryn earned his first point with Toronto, getting an assist in a 6–1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. On October 23, he scored his first goal with the Maple Leafs, as he scored against Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins in a 4–2 victory.

Van Ryn's time with the Leafs was injury plagued, as he only appeared in 27 games with Toronto, scoring three goals and 11 points. On October 22, 2009, Van Ryn underwent an osteotomy on his left knee. The surgery was a success in that it allowed Van Ryn to continue his day-to-day life.^[2] The Maple Leafs announced on June 30, 2010 that Van Ryn would not be playing in the 2010–11 season.^[3]