TPH CoE’s Ryan Humphrey talks about making U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team

When the coaching staff announced the selections for the U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team at the conclusion of the Select 16 Camp in New York, they did it in one big room with all the players.

For Ryan Humphrey, that meant containing his excitement out of respect for all his week-long camp teammates and friends.

“Just shocked,” the TPH Center of Excellence Detroit student-athlete said when asked about the moment he heard his name called. “We were all in a room and I just had to bundle it up a bit, but it was the most excited I’ve ever been, honestly.”

Humphrey, a forward with the Honeybaked 16U team, was selected to represent USA Hockey at the upcoming Five Nations Tournament in Germany in August. While he couldn’t celebrate too much around the rest of the group, telling his family was a different story.

“That was probably the coolest part, getting to tell them that I get to put on the USA jersey and go overseas. Their reaction was just great, it was awesome.”

The three-year CoE student-athlete said he can’t wait to head overseas for his first international competition in the Red, White and Blue. He leaves on Aug. 5 with his new team; Team USA will train at the Red Bull facility in Germany for a week before the tournament begins on Aug. 13.

He will have two good friends making the trip alongside him – Michigan natives Will Fox and Austen May also made the squad.

“It’s going to be awesome. I already have those two guys that I’m close with, but hopefully we’ll get close with everyone and it just makes things easier with those two.”

Humphrey said the Select 16 Camp was a great test, and an eye-opener for how much talent there is in his age group from across the country.

“It was awesome. The players there were just unbelievable. Every game was tough. The camp, they took really good care of us. Meals were good and transportation, everything was spot-on, and the coaches I had were really cool. It was really good.

“Just how much talent there is everywhere – Michigan is where I play, and I thought we were good, and then you have kids from Massachusetts, Alaska, Arizona, all just as good as we are and you just have to bring it.”

Humphrey, who is deciding between the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs for the next step in his hockey career, credited his TPH experience for getting him ready for the national spotlight.

“I mean, I think their training has helped me – it’s second to none,” Humphrey said. “The set-up there is unbelievable and it gets me ready every day. It’s just good to have guys who you can talk to and help you through things and be there for me. It’s the best school in the world, I would say.”