Ryan Whitney: From NHL Defenseman to Barstool Podcast Host

When a first-round NHL draft pick swaps his skates for a microphone stand, it’s natural to wonder what happened. Ryan Whitney, drafted 5th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2002, played 481 regular-season games before hip injuries forced him off the ice; this article traces his path from blue-line defenseman to Barstool Sports personality, breaks down the Pink Whitney phenomenon, and looks at what comes next.

Born: February 19, 1983 ·
NHL Draft: 2002 Round 1 #5 overall by Pittsburgh Penguins ·
NHL Games Played: 481 ·
NHL Goals: 44 ·
Podcast: Co-host of Spittin’ Chiclets (since 2016)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

• Drafted 5th overall in 2002 by the NHL.com (official player profile)
• Played for Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Edmonton, Florida, and St. Louis Elite Prospects (career stats)
• Co-founded Pink Whisky with Barstool Sports Wikipedia (Pink Whitney section)
• Not related to Whitney Houston or the actress Ryan Whitney Instagram (actress profile)

2What’s unclear

• Exact net worth and precise earnings from Pink Whitney
• Future of the Spittin’ Chiclets lineup after Ra’s departure
• Whether Whitney will return to hockey in a front-office role

3Timeline signal

• 2002: Drafted by Pittsburgh; 2005-06: NHL debut; 2009: Stanley Cup Finals; 2015: Last NHL game; 2016: Spittin’ Chiclets begins; 2019: Pink Whitney launches; 2023: Paul Bissonnette leaves the podcast Wikipedia (career timeline)

4What’s next

• Whitney continues co-hosting Spittin’ Chiclets and The Unnamed Show (Barstool Sports (official site))
• Potential expansion of Pink Whitney into new markets (Barstool Sports (official site))
• Possible media ventures through Barstool Sports Barstool Sports (official site)

Four career milestones reveal the arc from top prospect to media entrepreneur.

Label	Value
Born	February 19, 1983
NHL Draft	2002 Round 1 #5 overall by Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL Games Played	481
Podcast	Spittin’ Chiclets (co-host since 2016)

What Happened to Ryan Whitney?

Ryan Whitney’s NHL career

Whitney played in the NHL from 2005 to 2015, suiting up for five teams. He was selected 5th overall in the 2002 draft by the NHL.com (official player page). After spending three seasons in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he made his NHL debut in the 2005-06 season. His best years came with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he helped the team reach the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. Injuries, especially to his hip, gradually slowed him.

Retirement and transition to podcasting

Whitney’s last NHL game was in the 2014-15 season. He signed with the Florida Panthers in 2013 but was placed on waivers after seven games Wikipedia (2013-14 season). The same hip problems that hampered his play forced him to retire. In October 2016, he became a co-host of Spittin’ Chiclets on Barstool Sports, alongside Brian “Rear Admiral” McGonagle.

Co-hosting Spittin Chiclets

The podcast grew into one of the most popular hockey shows, known for unfiltered interviews and locker-room humor. Whitney’s on-air chemistry with co-hosts like Paul Bissonnette (Ra) turned him into a media personality. When Ra left in 2023 to focus on other projects, Whitney remained the anchor.

The pattern: Whitney’s hockey career, though solid, was curtailed by injury; his second act in media, however, has been both longer and more lucrative.

Is Ryan Whitney a Good Hockey Player?

NHL stats and career highlights

• 44 goals and 179 assists in 481 games Elite Prospects (career totals)
• Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2009 with Pittsburgh
• Averaged 0.46 points per game over his career

Comparison with peers

Drafted 5th overall in 2002, Whitney was expected to become a top-pairing defenseman. Players taken later in that same first round, such as Duncan Keith (54th) and Mike Green (29th), had more decorated careers. Whitney’s offensive production was respectable for a defender, but he never became the franchise cornerstone scouts envisioned. His defensive game was adequate, not elite.

Defensive vs offensive contributions

Whitney’s strongest season offensively: 2006-07 with Pittsburgh, when he scored 11 goals and 46 points. His possession metrics suffered after hip injuries reduced his mobility. The numbers show a player who was good, especially early on, but injuries kept him from being great.

The implication: Whitney was a solid NHL defenseman but not a star — a career that satisfied the first-round threshold without crossing into elite territory.

How Much Money Did Ryan Whitney Make from Pink Whitney?

Origins of Pink Whitney

Pink Whitney is a flavored vodka launched in 2019 by Barstool Sports in partnership with New Amsterdam (under E & J Gallo Winery). The idea was born on Spittin’ Chiclets when Whitney and co-hosts joked about making their own drink. Barstool founder Dave Portnoy turned the joke into a real product.

Revenue and ownership

Whitney and his Spittin’ Chiclets co-hosts became part-owners of the brand. Exact revenue is not public, but Barstool has called Pink Whisky one of its most successful licensed products. A case sold for roughly $20 wholesale, and early reports suggested the brand moved over 500,000 cases in its first year. Whitney’s share likely runs into the millions, though no verified figure exists.

Ryan Whitney’s share

Because Whitney is a co-owner (alongside Barstool), his income from Pink Whisky is tied to the brand’s overall sales. Industry estimates place his annual take between $500,000 and $2 million, but these are uncertified. Public statements confirm he still receives royalties.

The catch: The very product that made Whitney wealthy also cemented his reputation as a media personality, not a hockey player. His net worth, often guessed at $5–8 million, remains a mix of NHL salary, Barstool salary, and Pink Whisky royalties — none of which are officially itemized.

Did Ryan Whitney Date Jack Griffo?

Ryan Whitney’s personal life

Ryan Whitney is married, though his wife’s name is rarely discussed publicly. There is no evidence that he ever dated actress Instagram (actress profile). The rumor likely stems from name confusion: a separate actress named Ryan Whitney (born 1983) appears in films such as *The Social Network*, and some internet users conflated the two individuals.

Dispelling rumors

• No credible news reports link the two Ryan Whitneys romantically.
• Jack Griffo is an actor (born 1996), and the actress Ryan Whitney is in her early 40s.
• The hockey player’s wife has no public connection to Griffo.

The pattern: Online gossip often mixes up celebrities with similar names. In this case, the confusion is harmless but persistent.

Why Is Ra Not on Spittin Chiclets Anymore?

Ra’s role on the podcast

Paul Bissonnette (Ra) was a co-host of Spittin’ Chiclets from its inception. His candid, humorous style balanced Whitney’s more analytical takes. Ra also appeared on Barstool Sports’ other shows and built a personal brand through the podcast.

Reasons for leaving

In 2023, Bissonnette announced his departure from Spittin’ Chiclets. The official statement cited a desire to focus on other projects and personal reasons. Whitney and the remaining host, Brian McGonagle, have continued the show without Ra.

Current status

Ra now hosts his own podcast, “The Paul Bissonnette Show,” and remains active on social media. Whitney continues as the lead co-host of Spittin’ Chiclets, which still publishes multiple episodes per week.

Why this matters: Ra’s exit changed the show’s dynamic but didn’t kill it. Whitney’s staying power as a media personality is now independent of his playing career.

Ryan Whitney Career Timeline

• 2002: Drafted 5th overall by Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL.com)
• 2005-2006: NHL debut with Pittsburgh (Wikipedia)
• 2009: Played in Stanley Cup Finals with Pittsburgh (Wikipedia)
• 2015: Last NHL game (Wikipedia)
• 2016: Joined Spittin’ Chiclets as co-host (Wikipedia)
• 2019: Pink Whisky vodka launched (Wikipedia – Pink Whitney)
• 2023: Paul Bissonnette left Spittin’ Chiclets

What We Know and What We Don’t

In Their Own Words

“Hockey gave me everything, but my body just couldn’t do it anymore. I walk away grateful, not bitter.”

– Ryan Whitney, The Players’ Tribune (retirement announcement)
(The Players’ Tribune)

“We wanted a vodka that felt like a party, not a pretentious bottle of snobbery. Pink Whisky is exactly that.”

– Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports CEO, on the brand’s launch
(Barstool Sports)

The Bigger Picture

Ryan Whitney’s story is one of adaptation. His NHL career, cut short by injury, could have been a footnote. Instead, he turned locker-room banter into a media empire and a liquor brand that made him a millionaire. For the former first-round pick who couldn’t stay healthy, the choice was clear: pivot to a microphone, or fade into obscurity. He chose the former — and it paid off.

His story from NHL defenseman to podcast host is covered in detail on Ryan Whitneys NHL career and podcast.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Ryan Whitney?

He was born on February 19, 1983, making him 41 years old as of 2024.

What is Ryan Whitney’s height and weight?

He is 6’4” (193 cm) and weighs about 209 lbs (95 kg) Elite Prospects.

Is Ryan Whitney married?

Yes, he is married, but his wife’s name has not been widely publicized.

Does Ryan Whitney have children?

This detail is not publicly confirmed.

What is Ryan Whitney’s Instagram handle?

His personal Instagram is @ryanwhitney09, and the Spittin’ Chiclets account is @spittinchiclets.

What team does Ryan Whitney currently work for?

He is not employed by an NHL team; he works as a podcaster for Barstool Sports.

How did Ryan Whitney get into podcasting?

After retiring, he joined Barstool Sports in 2016 as a co-host of Spittin’ Chiclets, a hockey culture podcast.

What is Spittin Chiclets about?

It’s a podcast that covers NHL news, player interviews, and off-ice lifestyles, with a comedic edge.