The Growlers were short on their roster
You constantly get guys coming in on PTOs that play only a single game or 3 and then are released
Earlier this year 35 year old Pat O'Keefe played 1 game after not playing pro since 2013-24 (his only year pro) and 34 year old Dan Cadigan played 3 games - after only turning pro last year at the age of 33 with the Growlers.
Ryan's story is a little more intriguing for obvious reasons - former NHL draft pick, that much older, hasn't played pro in 20 years, sat last year out, actor and author, etc.
A cool story either way! Don't blame him for spinning it into book sales