River Dragons Welcome Back Star Forward Ryan Hunter

COLUMBUS, GA – The Columbus River Dragons are pleased to announce the return of star forward Ryan Hunter for the 2026-27 season.

The Toronto, Ontario native has spent the majority of his three-plus professional seasons in Columbus since turning pro in 2023. In 142 career FPHL games all with the Dragons, Hunter has recorded 92 goals and 106 assists for 198 points. His production earned him FPHL Rookie of the Year honors in 2023-24, and he continued to establish himself as one of the league’s premier offensive threats last season.

Hunter, 24, enjoyed the most productive season of his professional career in 2025-26, setting a career high with 37 goals to complement 34 assists in 44 games. His offensive contributions played a key role in the River Dragons’ deep postseason run. He also made eight appearances with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays across two separate stints, recording one assist.

Hunter briefly played outside of Columbus during the 2024-25 season, appearing in seven games with the SPHL’s Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs and recording one goal and two assists. He also suited up in one game for the Peoria Rivermen.

Prior to turning professional, Hunter established himself as a prolific scorer throughout his junior career. In 2022-23, he served as captain of the GMHL’s Bradford Bulls and exploded for 51 goals and 65 assists in just 41 games. His performance earned him the Marshall Uretsky Award as the GMHL South Division’s Most Valuable Player, along with a selection to the league’s All-Star roster.

Hunter also captured SIJHL Forward of the Year honors in 2022 while helping the Red Lake Miners claim the SIJHL championship. In 27 games that season, he registered 25 goals and 36 assists.

His junior career began in 2018 and also included stops in the GOJHL, CCHL2, OJHL and NOJHL, including a 54-game stint with the Cochrane Crunch during the 2020-21 season.

With nearly 200 career FPHL points already to his name, Hunter returns to Columbus as a proven offensive catalyst and one of the River Dragons’ most established scoring threats. His combination of production and experience adds another significant piece to a Columbus attack looking to remain among the league’s most dangerous in 2026-27.

Hunter will look to continue his pursuit of a Commissioner’s Cup with the River Dragons this season.