Daniel Ryder, a former NHL prospect from Newfoundland who has been charged with robbery, has been declared mentally unfit to stand trial.

Ryder, 23, appeared in provincial court in St. John's Monday.

He turned himself in to police Jan. 6, a day after a man held up a convenience store in Bonavista, Ryder's hometown. The RCMP said at the time that the man's face was partially covered, and he told the cashier he had a gun.

Psychiatrist Nizar Ladha told the judge hearing the case that Ryder was not fit to stand trial, and suggested his case be sent to a mental disorder review board.

The judge accepted Ladha's recommendation.

Along with the robbery charge, Ryder faces charges of using a firearm in the commission of an offence, using a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, and theft under $5,000.

Ryder was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2005, a year before he won the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as the most valuable player in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs.