Nashville Predators sign Ryan Ufko to three-year, entry level contract

Ufko spent the 2023-24 campaign with the University of Massachusetts Amherst and registered 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points in 37 games. He ranked second among team defensemen in points, Ufko also notched five multi-point games, including a season-high four points on Dec. 8 vs. Alaska Anchorage.

The Minutemen co-captain was named as a finalist for the Hockey East Player of the Year award; and named as a Hockey East First-Team All-Star. Additionally, Ufko was named a Hobey Baker Award nominee; a semifinalist for the Walter Brown Award, given to the top college hockey player in New England; and won the Len Ceglarski Sportsmanship Award, presented to a Hockey East player who has consistently demonstrated superior conduct and sportsmanship on the ice. Throughout his three-year NCAA tenure, Ufko notched 23 goals and 58 assists for 81 points in 106 games.

The Smithtown, New York product was initially selected by the Predators No. 115 overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. During his draft year, Ufko spent the season with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL where he totalled 10 goals and 39 points in 53 games; he was named to the USHL First All-Star team and captured the USHL Clark Cup Championship.

Internationally, Ufko represented the United States at the 2023 World Junior Championship, capturing a bronze medal while sharing the tournament lead among points by defensemen with 10 and led all defensemen with nine assists.