Calum Ritchie
A center with size and room to blossom
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Position: Center
Team: Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Nationality: Canada
The Draft Prospectus Ranking: #17
Drafted second overall in the 2021 OHL Bantam Draft by the Oshawa Generals, Calum Ritchie has been a vital piece in Oshawa as the famous club looks to return to prominence. While his production might not be as high as he may have hoped, Ritchie’s still a shoo-in to be selected in the first round.
Ritchie had a difficult start to his draft year, totaling only 12 points in his first 18 games, including a seven-game pointless streak in November. Since the calendar turned to 2023, he’s picked up the pace significantly.
He’s hovered around a point-per-game for the majority of the season, finishing with 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 59 games.
“The hallmark of Ritchie’s game is his hockey sense. It allows him to play a mature, well-rounded game, through his proactive play selection. He disrupts plays, wins body positioning, and demonstrates handling skills in tight.” - Lauren Kelly, EP Rinkside
Playing on an Oshawa team near the bottom of the standings all season, Ritchie finished as the team's third-leading scorer. Ritchie doesn’t have an outstanding supporting cast that can keep up with the pace he prefers to play at.
Ritchie’s name began being thrown into the first-round conversation during last year's Gretzky Hlinka Cup. He led the tournament with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in the tournament's five games, besting nearly a dozen potential first-round draft picks in 2023.
Though stats carry some weight come draft day, they don’t tell the entire story. Ritchie is one of the most unselfish players available this year. While he could easily have much more impressive numbers, he’d prefer to put the team first, getting his teammates involved at all costs.
🥅 In a fast-moving environment, Ritchie’s reactions adapt well to the game's speed. He registers the landscape of the game quite well, as his hockey IQ is off the charts. He seems to always be positioned where he needs to be, resulting in him having a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Though he stands at 6’2” and 180 lbs, it’s difficult to place the power-forward tag on Ritchie as he is more of a playmaker. He’s got phenomenal hands, pulling off toe drags in tight spaces and keeping the puck at a distance from the defensive opposition.
He’s an above-average passer but still has room to improve. Capable of threading the puck through tight spaces, Ritchie doesn’t often force the low-percentage pass. With his passing capabilities, it’s difficult to say his willingness to move the puck is a detriment, but he likes to make the simple pass too often. With puck-handling skills as exemplary as Ritchie’s, there are times he’d be better off taking his opponent on 1v1.
Ritchie likely won’t be a prolific scorer in the NHL but does have plenty of room to improve. He does most of his damage off the rush or near the circles. He shows a bit of reluctance to attack the middle of the ice. As he fills out his 6’2” frame, he should be willing to attack the dirty areas more often. Adding more grit could elevate his offensive game to a new level.
To become an effective two-way forward, Ritchie needs to work on his skating. He's categorized as average at best, as he doesn't generate enough power in his strides. More time in the gym and another season or two in the OHL should improve his lower-body strength and boost his speed to a higher degree.
🏒 While many high-end prospects are good enough to get noticed without doing the little things right, Ritchie is a virtuoso down to most minute details. He’s positionally sound, battles for the puck in both ends of the ice, and masters the little things which allow coaches to trust him in all situations.
He needs to improve his physicality, especially if he’s to engage in puck battles in the corners. He’s very good at freeing the puck using his stick but needs to take away the body more often. Once he learns to use his size better, he’ll be even more effective in his own zone.
All-in-all, Ritchie’s one of the better defensive forwards available. His never give up attitude and willingness to defend all corners of the zone will be a dream for any coach.
📊 It’s not easy to say when Ritchie will hear his name called by Gary Bettman, but it will surely be on night one. Of all our projected first-rounders, he’s probably had the most extensive range in his projections by the top publications. I’ve seen him as high as ten, down to the late twenties.
During his OHL draft year, Ritchie barely played any hockey due to the pandemic like a lot of this year’s prospects. Though you can use that excuse with just about anyone, for the players who experienced a growth spurt, it carries more weight. They’re dealing with a body type extremely unfamiliar to them, taking longer to get acclimated with the style of play best suited for themselves. Now that he’s been back to a regular schedule for two years, Ritchie’s been improving with every day.
Though he still has room to refine his craft, Ritchie has a fantastic base and attention to detail implanted in his game.I think there’s a general manager willing to wait two years on Ritchie to allow him to prefect his craft before stepping foot into the NHL. With time, he has the potential to become a real asset and that may be too much to pass up on.
I think a general manager is willing to wait two years on Ritchie, allowing him to perfect his craft before stepping foot into the NHL. With time, he has the potential to become a real asset, and that may be too much to pass up on.
📈 📉 Rankings by Top Publications and Insiders
Sportsnet: 29
TSN/Bob McKenzie: 13
TSN/Craig Button: 29
EliteProspects: 28
The Hockey News: 25