He then started the 2007–08 season with the Ducks, scoring his first career NHL goal in his debut against the Los Angeles Kings at The O2 arena in London, England.

[6] In the following 2008–09 season, Ryan once again made the opening roster, but was to be sent down to the Ducks' new AHL affiliate, the Iowa Chops, due to salary cap issues.

[9] On April 22, 2009, Ryan was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, along with Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Kris Versteeg of the Chicago Blackhawks—Mason ultimately won the award.

On November 24, 2012, Ryan participated in Operation Hat Trick, a charity hockey game at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City to raise money for Hurricane Sandy victims.

[12] On July 5, 2013, Ryan was acquired by the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forwards Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and a first-round draft pick in 2014 (used to select Nick Ritchie).

[17] He finished the playoffs with six goals and nine assists as the Senators were eliminated in double overtime in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

[21] On October 9, 2020, the first day of free agency, Ryan signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

Ryan played for the United States at the 2006 World Junior Championships, where the team lost to Finland in the bronze medal game, earning them a fourth-place finish.

[26] Ryan was born Robert Shane Stevenson, Jr. in Cherry Hill, New Jersey,[3] and grew up in Collingswood, attending Queen of Heaven for grade school.

The family eventually relocated to El Segundo, California so that Ryan could play in an elite youth hockey feeder system.

In February 2000, Ryan's father, who had been supporting the family as a professional gambler, was arrested at home by the United States Marshals Service.

[30] In December 2022, Ryan joined as co-host of a Senators-based podcast called 'Coming in Hot'[31] with Brent Wallace and Jason York.