Manchester Storm are excited to announce the signing of forward Ryan Hughes, most recently of Guildford Flames.

Hughes, an Edmonton native, has showcased his talent and scoring ability throughout his hockey career. Starting in the Western Hockey League (WHL), he played for teams such as the Portland Winterhawks, Saskatoon Blades, and Kamloops Blazers. Over his junior career, Hughes accumulated an impressive 249 points (102G, 147A) in 304 games, demonstrating his offensive prowess and becoming a key player for each of his teams.

Following his successful junior career, Hughes attended the University of Alberta, where he continued to hone his skills and contribute significantly to the Golden Bears’ success. Over his collegiate career, he amassed 47 points (14G, 33A) in 48 games, further developing his playmaking abilities and on-ice vision.

In the professional game, Hughes joined the Guildford Flames for the 2023-2024 season. During his tenure with the Flames, he tallied 11 goals and 7 assists in 34 games, proving to be a reliable and dynamic forward. Hughes’ experience and talent make him a valuable addition to the Storm’s roster for the upcoming season.

General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, commented on adding Hughes to the line-up:

“Hughes has been on our radar all summer, and we are delighted to get this one over the line. Everyone in the organisation believes that, if given the right opportunities, he can be a real offensive threat within the league.

One thing we love about his game is that he plays much bigger than his size. Furthermore, he has already had success in our building, albeit in the wrong colours until now. I think we can expect a big breakout year for Ryan, and we are confident in how he will fit into our established group.”

Words by Callum Schora