PEORIA, Ill. – Senior defenseman Tyler Ryder (Byron Center, Mich./Northstar Christian Academy) from the Yellowjacket men's hockey team has inked a professional contract with the Peoria Rivermen of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
 
Ryder's signing marks the third for the Yellowjackets after the 2025-26 season, joining Dusty Bergstrom (Pine City, Minn./Pine City) and Chris Ishmael (Oakville, Ontario/Abbey Park Secondary School) who signed their contracts last week. Ryder joins forces with former teammate and brother, Terry Ryder, who skated with the Yellowjackets in the 2023-24 season after transferring from NCAA Division III Adrian.
 
Ryder made his professional debut Friday, Feb. 27 against the Huntsville Havoc, facing off against former teammate Ishmael. Ryder collected his first assist just 4:25 into the first period before scoring his first professional goal on the power play at 18:08 in period one.
 
In his four-year career with the Yellowjackets, Ryder skated in 98 games, finishing his collegiate career with nine goals and 13 assists. He was also credited with 72 blocked shots from the opposition.
 
The Rivermen are back in action Thursday as they take on Pensacola. The opening puck drop is set for 7:15 p.m. inside Carver Arena.