Rio Grande Valley Signs Matt Ridley

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The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the Central Hockey League (CHL) announced on Thursday that rookie defenseman Matt Ridley (6’3, 212) has agreed to terms with the Killer Bees and signed for the 2011-12 season. Matt is the son of Mike Ridley who played almost 1,000 games in the NHL over 12 seasons.

Matt spend last season in both the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). The 6’3 defenseman suited up for both the Westside Warriors and Cowichan Valley Capitals with three goals and 18 assists between the two teams.

“Matt is a big, mobile, d-man that can really help clog up the ice,” said Killer Bees General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. “I expect him to use his size to his advantage. He is not afraid of the physical contact and is one of the guys that I think is going to learn and improve a lot this year and become an integral member of success.”

Mike Ridley, Matt’s father, played 12 seasons in the NHL, mostly with the Washington Capitals. His best season came during the 1988-89 season where he scored 41 goals with 48 assists as part of an All-Star season. Ridley was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1986 while with the New York Rangers.