Ryan Barrett has spent pretty much his whole life just to the North of Boston - living in Wilmington, playing hockey for the Islanders Hockey Club in North Andover, Mass., and getting ready to continue his education and hockey career in historic Salem. 

He wouldn’t have it any other way, as he gets ready to close a three-year, 100-plus point career with the Islanders and move on to Salem State University, where he committed earlier in January.

Barrett joined the Islanders originally in 2019-20, just after his graduation from Wilmington High School, for which he also played. In the first year with the Islanders, Barrett made an immediate impact and scored 43 points for a team that started the season 20-0. He put up 50 points last season in 35 games, and added four more assists in seven playoff games as the Islanders went on a Nationals run. He also put up seven points in 14 games so far this year. 

“Coming to the rink every day with the same guys every day and building that bond from the start to the finish every season is by far the best thing about the IHC and any other hockey team for that matter,” said Barrett. “My teammates were what kept me going and made be better everyday.” 

Getting better everyday is what attracted his future team, the Salem State Vikings, who play in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). 

“I started talking to Salem State during my second season at IHC,” said Barrett. “If I were to say, I’d like to think the coaches liked the energy and playmaking I bring to the ice.

“I found interest in Salem State through friends who were and have been on the team at Salem,” Barrett added. “When I met their coaches, it gave me much more interest as well. Solid guys all around.”

Bill O’Neill first took on the head coaching spot of the Vikings in 1981, and he’s still going strong with nine career NCAA tournament appearances, including three between 2014 and 2017. All of this is done at a small state university in a small but busy urban area known for its seafaring heritage - and yes, witches. 

“The campus was very interesting to me because I had never been to Salem that often as a kid, even while living only 25 minutes away. A lot of history there and I couldn’t wait to be a part of it,” said Barrett, who plans to major in Business Marketing. “The city there is awesome and I can’t wait to live there. What sold me was the rink for sure.”

It’s a new and exciting future ahead for Ryan Barrett, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to leave the Islanders and never look back. He’ll always remember the good times, of which there have been many. It has all prepared him for exactly where he is today. 

“Through my years with the Islanders, I feel as if I’ve definitely improved as a playmaker throughout the offensive zone especially,” added Barrett. “Also, I have developed a ton of leadership ability while taking the role of captain for the IHC. I always try to bring the best energy to help my team win, no matter where I play!”

The USPHL congratulates Ryan Barrett, his family, the Islanders Hockey Club and Salem State University for his commitment.  

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