Ryan Stanton

Stanton was a pleasant surprise in his first season in Vancouver, tallying 16 points (one goal) in 64 games, while also recording a plus-5 rating. Not known as a big offensive contributor, Stanton is a solid defenseman that can play decent minutes and be counted on defensively. There is the potential for him to be an impact fantasy player in deep formats, but it’s hard to see him putting up big numbers behind the likes of Alex Edler, Dan Hamhuis, Kevin Bieksa, Luca Sbisa and Chris Tanev. Not helping his case is the fact he struggled towards the end of last season, notching only one assist in his final 14 games. The 25-year-old will likely battle for the sixth or seventh spot on Vancouver’s blue line.

Stanton continued to improve at Rockford of the AHL in his second season for the IceHogs. He was named Rockford's top defenseman after matching his scoring totals of 2010-11 (three goals, 14 assists) and delivering 130 PIMs, second-best on the team.

Stanton was sent down to Rockford of the AHL in September. He has good upside after being named the IceHogs Rookie of the Year in 2010-11 after the defenseman compiled 3 goals and 14 assists with a plus-9 in 73 games.

Stanton has been a terror for opponents of the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL. The physical rearguard amassed 94 points (mostly assists) from the blue line in a three-year span. The Blackhawks have secured the playmakers' services with a three-year entry level deal, but he likely will need experience in the minors during the 2010-11 campaign.

Stanton signed a three-year entry level contract in March with the Blackhawks that starts for the 2010-11 season. Stanton is one of the top defensemen in the WHL.