The Adelaide Adrenaline are looking at a promising generation of South Australian players rising through the ranks. Ryan Foll is one of these players. 

Foll captained the Generals, Adelaide's team in the Australian Junior Ice Hockey League (AJIHL), to a championship in 2017 and a minor premiership in 2018.

22-year-old Foll put together a tidy AJIHL season as the captain. He had 11 goals, 12 assists and 23 points in 13 games. He has averaged two points per game in the AJIHL and is hoping that success can start to translate at the AIHL level.

Of the top six scorers in the AJIHL this season, five of them will suit up for the Adrenaline this year. The other five in the top six are Corey Stringer, Zach Boyle, Nathaniel Benson and Brad Chenoweth.

Foll is entering his fourth season in the AIHL but this will be his first season with an upgrade in responsibilities and likely a regular shift.

After leading a pack of promising youngsters is Ryan ready to take the next step? We asked Ryan himself, who this year is sponsored by Greg Constructions, Amy Bartlett and Jamie Taylor with a special shoutout to Matt Barrie Home Improvements.

1) The next generation of hockey in Adelaide is starting to come up. Why are we ready to roll with it?

We're ready to roll with it because our younger generation of players are starting to show that they can play at the higher level. The more experience they have at AIHL level while they are still maturing, the better it is for their development.

2) What have you learned personally in the last few years of the AIHL?

I have learnt that it is a massive step to be a consistent player in this league. It has been the greatest challenge that I have faced in my career to date. The difference in speed and physicality between the AIHL and the AJIHL or any other Australian league are massive. It is something you don't realise until you play your first AIHL game after coming through the Australian junior system.

I personally have learnt a lot more discipline in my game and to always keep my head up. There were a few times early on in my career, when I was around 16 or 17 and playing my first AIHL games, where I was taught this lesson very quickly. 

3) What is it like growing up watching guys like Greg Oddy and now sharing the ice with them?

In my first year on the Adrenaline squad Greg was the captain, and up until the start of last year, he always was. Growing up and having players on the ice with me such as Greg, David Huxley, Josh Harding, Wehebe Darge etc., was one of the most valuable experiences for me personally. I had grown up watching Greg play with my dad (Glen Foll) towards the end of his career and watching the other guys all throughout my childhood. 

When I turned 16, I made the Adrenaline training squad and was way out of my depth to be on the ice with the caliber of players on the team that year. The thing I will always remember is how accepting some of the players were and how happy they were to help me develop as a player.

Although I was only training with the squad for a good 1 ½ - 2 years before playing an AIHL game, I believe I still wouldn't be playing in the league today if it weren't for those guys helping me out on and off the ice.

4) What does Ryan Foll need to do to make the next step?

To make the next step I need to pick up more speed. Speed and agility have always been a weakness in my game. I have been putting in the hard yards this offseason to be better at that. I feel as though I am confident and a smart enough player to be playing in this league, I just need to focus on the skills that I lack more of.

5) Corey Stringer. Zach Boyle. Nathaniel Benson. Ryan Foll. All Top 5 scorers in the AJIHL. All on the Adrenaline. Should we be excited? Why?

I think people should definitely be excited. I think if you go even further down that list that around 6 or 7 of the top 10 scorers are all adrenaline players. I think that in itself shows what some of these guys are capable of and what an exciting future there is for this club. The team has struggled to score goals in recent years and that's exactly what this group is able to do.

6) You were captain of the Generals. How will your leadership play a part in the Adrenaline coming up?

In years to come I will be one of the more mature players on the team when it comes to AIHL experience and I would like to think that my leadership skills can play apart in one way or another. Whether it be a future member of the leadership group or just a member of the team who is able to help and support the younger guys coming up. We have a great group of kids coming up through the ranks and I know what it feels like to be in that situation.

7) What do you want the fans to know about this team?

I would like to start by thanking the fans. Although the last couple of years haven't been the best years for the club, the amount of support that everyone has given us is what keeps the team going. The amount of talented players we have coming up through the ranks is very exciting. I expect this year to be better than the previous years already and the future of this club is only brighter. The Adelaide Adrenaline is very quickly going to become one of the powerhouses of the AIHL once again.

 
Quick Shots

Favourite Food - Eggs
Favourite NHL Team – Vancouver Canucks
Favourite Player – VAN – Brock Boeser or NHL – Phil Kessel
Favourite Pre-Game Music - Drake
How did you get in to ice hockey? -  My Dad
Profession: - Currently studying a double degree at Flinders University, which consists of a Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Activity and a Bachelor of Psychological Science. (Hope to one day work in sports psychology)