Calum Ritchie

Last updated
Calum Ritchie
Born (2005-01-21) January 21, 2005 (age 19)
Brampton, Ontario, Canada [1] [2]
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Colorado Avalanche
Oshawa Generals  (OHL)
NHL draft 27th overall, 2023
Colorado Avalanche

Calum Ritchie (born January 21, 2005) is a Canadian ice hockey player for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a prospect to the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 27th overall by the Avalanche in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Contents

Playing career

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic hampered Ritchie's final pre-major junior season with the Oakville Rangers, though toward the final months of what would have been the 2020–21 season restrictions were eased sufficiently for the team to practice and eventually play showcase games. He was taken by the Oshawa Generals in the 2021 Ontario Hockey League draft. Debuting with the Generals in the 2021–22 season, Ritchie managed 45 points in 65 regular season games, and a further seven points in six playoff games. He was second in scoring among players under the age of 17. [3] He was named to the league's First All-Rookie Team. [4]

While playing with Team Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Ritchie sustained a shoulder injury that would become a recurring problem during the 2022–23 season, with his shoulder dislocating four different times. He produced 24 goals and 25 assists in 59 regular season games with the Generals. [5] [6] Considered a possible top ten selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft following the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, his draft year struggles negatively impacted his standing thereafter. [7] Ritchie was ultimately taken late in the first round, 27th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche. [8]

Ritchie underwent shoulder surgery following the 2023 NHL scouting combine, and as a result made his 2023–24 season debut only on November 12. [6] With his shoulder issues behind him, he enjoyed success, posting 80 points in 50 regular season games. [9] [10] In recognition of his achievements, he was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team. [11] The Generals went on a deep run in the 2024 playoffs, reaching the OHL Finals, where they were swept by the London Knights in four games. Ritchie managed 30 points in 21 playoff games. [9] [12] [13]

After participating in his first Colorado Avalanche Rookie camp in preparation for the 2024–25 season, Ritchie was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the club on July 9, 2024. [14]

International play

Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2023 Switzerland
Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2022 Canada

Ritchie made his international debut for Canada with the national under-18 team at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he recorded four goals and six assists in five games, winning gold with the team. [15] His ten points led the tournament in scoring. [7] He rejoined the team for the 2023 IIHF World U18 Championships the following spring. He had three goals and six assists in seven games, while Team Canada won the bronze medal. [16] [17]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2021–22 Oshawa Generals OHL 651926451264374
2022–23 Oshawa GeneralsOHL592435593552462
2023–24 Oshawa GeneralsOHL5028528020218223016
OHL totals17471113184673214294322

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022 Canada HG18 Gold medal icon.svg546102
2023 Canada U18 Bronze medal icon.svg73694
Junior totals12712196

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
OHL
First All-Rookie Team 2022 [4]
Second All-Star Team 2024 [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Duchene</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Matthew David Duchene is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played in the NHL for the Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Nashville Predators. While with the Predators, he set a new franchise record for most goals scored in a single season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin de Haan</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Calvin de Haan is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 12th overall by the New York Islanders at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan O'Reilly</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Ryan O'Reilly is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues and the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL. O'Reilly was drafted 33rd overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, with whom he spent the first six seasons of his NHL career. Nicknamed "the Factor", he is frequently referred to as one of the NHL's best two-way forwards, winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nail Yakupov</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1993)

Nail Railovich Yakupov is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected first overall by the Edmonton Oilers at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and also played with the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche. Due to his draft position, short NHL career and low point totals, Yakupov is widely regarded as one of the biggest draft busts in NHL history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Ritchie</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Nicholas Ritchie is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Iserlohn Roosters in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Ritchie was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, tenth overall, of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Ritchie has also played for the Boston Bruins, Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Oulun Kärpät.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Dickinson</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Jason Dickinson is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Dallas Stars in the first round, 29th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael McCarron</span> American ice hockey player (born 1995)

Michael McCarron is an American professional ice hockey player for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 25th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akil Thomas</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Akil Thomas is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Los Angeles Kings. Prior to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Thomas was projected as a top eligible draft pick. He was eventually drafted in the second round, 51st overall, by the Los Angeles Kings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Studnicka</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Jack Studnicka is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Studnicka was drafted in the second round by the Boston Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Drysdale</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 2002)

Jamie Drysdale is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Anaheim Ducks of the NHL. Internationally, Drysdale has represented Canada at multiple underage and junior competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cole Perfetti</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 2002)

Cole Perfetti is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected tenth overall by the Jets in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

The 2023–24 OHL season was the 44th season of operation of the Ontario Hockey League. The league played a 68-game regular season which began on September 28, 2023 and concluded on March 24, 2024. The post-season began on March 28, 2024 and concluded on May 15, 2024.

Colby Barlow is a Canadian junior ice hockey player for the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a prospect to the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 18th overall by the Jets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Easton Cowan is a Canadian junior ice hockey player for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and a prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Cowan was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the first-round, 28th overall, of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Michael Misa is a Canadian junior ice hockey forward for the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He is considered a top prospect eligible for the 2025 NHL entry draft.

Sam Dickinson is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a prospect to the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 11th overall by the Sharks in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryder Ritchie</span> Swedish-Canadian ice hockey forward (born 2006)

Ryder Ritchie is a Swedish-Canadian junior ice hockey forward for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was selected in the second round, 45th overall, by the Minnesota Wild in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Ryerson Leenders is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the Brampton Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was selected 219th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Carter George is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender for the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was drafted 57th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beckett Sennecke</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 2006)

Beckett Sennecke is a Canadian ice hockey right wing for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a prospect to the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted third overall by the Ducks in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

References

  1. Little, Devin (4 April 2023). "Calum Ritchie – 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile". thehockeywriters.com.
  2. "Calum Ritchie - Centre/Right Wing". TSN. Toronto ON: BellMedia. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  3. Wheeler, Scott (November 9, 2022). "How Calum Ritchie's curiosity turned him into a top 2023 NHL Draft prospect". The Athletic . Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "OHL Announces 2021-22 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Ontario Hockey League. June 21, 2022. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022.
  5. Morreale, Mike G. (June 6, 2023). "Ritchie shows resilience managing shoulder injury ahead of 2023 NHL Draft". NHL.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Kimelman, Adam (February 17, 2024). "CHL notebook: Avalanche prospect Ritchie thinking, looking like pro". NHL.com. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  7. 1 2 Cosentino, Sam; Bukala, Jason (June 28, 2023). "Prospect of Interest: Why Calum Ritchie is a polarizing player in 2023 draft". Sportsnet . Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  8. Durando, Bennett (June 28, 2023). "Avalanche draft center Calum Ritchie with No. 27 pick in 2023 NHL draft". The Denver Post . Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Rawal, Evan (May 16, 2024). "Calum Ritchie's Dynamite OHL Season Comes To An End". Colorado Hockey Now. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  10. Stockl, Joely (January 26, 2024). "How Calum Ritchie's curiosity turned him into a top 2023 NHL Draft prospect". The Hockey News . Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Sweetland, Josh (May 28, 2024). "OHL Announces 2023-24 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  12. Brown, Jared (May 19, 2024). "The Oshawa Generals Exceeded Expectations and Should Be Excited For The Future". The Hockey News . Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  13. "Calum Ritchie on his big 2023-24 season, goals for summer and beyond". Colorado Avalanche. July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  14. "Avalanche signs Calum Ritchie". Colorado Avalanche. July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  15. Vickers, Aaron (July 25, 2022). "Yager among top 2023 draft picks to play for Canada at Hlinka Gretzky Cup". NHL.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  16. "Calum Ritchie named to Team Canada for IIHF U18 World Championship". oshawagenerals.com. April 15, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  17. Kelly, Tim (April 18, 2023). "Oshawa Generals' Calum Ritchie playing for Canada again in world U18 hockey championship". durhamregion.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Colorado Avalanche first round draft pick
2023
Succeeded by