Ryan Kirwan netted 34 goals over 100 career games at Penn State before entering the transfer portal last April.

Kirwan’s previous single-season career-high was 13, which he did as both a freshman and junior. He also recorded 37 points over 50 games (2020-21) with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. However, the senior forward has broken out this winter, and he’s been a key contributor for Arizona State.

Kirwan scored his latest three goals this weekend in Omaha as the Sun Devils earned a split to close out the regular season. The win clinched a home playoff series at Mullett Arena, which will take place the weekend of March 14-16.

The New York native netted his fourth game-winner of the season on Friday and followed it up with a pair of goals in the finale, giving him 23 through 34 games.

Kirwan’s 23 goals are tied for second in the NCAA, alongside Aiden Fink, Isaac Howard and Ayrton Martino. His 23 goals lead all NCHC skaters and his 34 points are tied for sixth in the conference, and Kirwan has 23 points (16-7-23) over his 18 games since the calendar flip.

Ryan Kirwan is a Hobey Baker Memorial Award nominee! 🏒🔥 Help this Arizona State forward take home the honor by voting daily at https://t.co/CGEVafN9rB! #VoteForHobey @ryan44kirwan @sundevilhockey @thenchc @drinkbodyarmor pic.twitter.com/7XVeSUneyJ

— Hobey Baker Award (@HobeyBakerAward) February 27, 2025

ASU is 16-7-1 since mid-November, including a 11-6-1 record after Jan. 1. Only two of those six losses were in regulation too.

With ASU’s regular season complete, the Sun Devils will now turn their attention to the out-of-town scoreboard.

ASU is currently second in the NCHC standings with 47 points – six ahead of Omaha (41) and eight ahead of Denver and North Dakota (39). Neither DU or UND can catch ASU.

However, ASU remains 16th in the Pairwise. They’ll need a solid playoff showing and potentially some help around them to reach the NCAA Tournament, but they’re firmly in the mix – which few would’ve imagined in September.

Devils still hold 2nd place in the NCHC conference standings with 47 points 🔱

Can’t wait to be back at Mullett for our first conference playoff run #BeTheTradition pic.twitter.com/qqrsEWbe0M

— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) March 2, 2025

The Sun Devils were picked to finish eighth in their inaugural NCHC season, and Greg Powers’ roster featured plenty of unknown. They got off to a 1-4-1 start as well. Yet nearly all of their portal additions have been outstanding and the team continues getting better. Players like Kirwan are a big reason why.

The left-shot forward blends his skating and offensive instincts with an exceptional release. He’s also emerged as a weapon on the power play, where Kirwan has scored seven of his 23 goals. ASU’s power play ranks third in the country at 29.1% and its 124 overall goals are tied with Quinnipiac for third nationally.

Kirwan and the Sun Devils will now enjoy the week off and look to keep rolling into the postseason.

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