Students, families and community members gathered at North Hastings High School (NHHS) last week for an evening of humour, reflection and future-focused discussion with former NHL player and current Shoresy actor Terry Ryan.
The event, co-hosted by Loyalist College and NHHS with the support of Principal Angela Harvey, brought the community together to explore how post-secondary education can open new opportunities.
Moderated by Loyalist College President Mark Kirkpatrick, the conversation traced Ryan’s journey from professional hockey to acting, writing and comedy, and the role post-secondary education played in helping him reimagine his path.
Throughout the evening, Ryan’s signature storytelling style and willingness to speak candidly about setbacks resonated with students exploring their own futures. He reflected on the challenges of overcoming self-doubt, the importance of staying connected to school and creativity while pursuing sport, and how pivotal support from family and education programs helped him find new opportunities after injury ended his professional hockey career. From tales of draft day highs to life after the final whistle, his message was clear: it’s okay to change direction, and education can open doors you may not even know exist yet.
“For students growing up in smaller communities, it can be hard to picture what’s possible,” said Kirkpatrick. “But we’re here to show them that Loyalist is close to home, accessible and prepared to help them take that next step.”
Ryan is from Newfoundland and played several games for the Montreal Canadiens as a winger between 1996 and 1999.
