# Calum Ritchie

Calum Ritchie (born January 21, 2005) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) while under contract to the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 27th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2023 NHL entry draft, for whom he played seven NHL games.

## 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. He was named to the league's First All-Rookie Team.
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. 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. Ritchie was ultimately taken late in the first round, 27th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche.
Ritchie underwent shoulder surgery following the 2023 NHL scouting combine, and as a result made his 2023–24 season debut only on November 12. With his shoulder issues behind him, he enjoyed success, posting 80 points in 50 regular season games. In recognition of his achievements, he was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team. 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.
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. With a number of the team's veteran players sidelined by injury, he was named to the Avalanche's opening night roster. On October 14, 2024, Ritchie scored his first career NHL goal against New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin in a 6–2 loss to the Islanders. Ritchie featured in 7 games with the Avalanche, finishing with 1 goal, before he was returned to continue his development with junior club, the Oshawa Generals on October 24, 2024. Ritchie resumed his top-line centre role with the Generals and continued his previous seasons scoring pace.
On March 6, 2025, while posting 67 points through 41 games in the OHL, Ritchie was traded by the Avalanche approaching the trade deadline along with Oliver Kylington and conditional first-round and third-round selections to the New York Islanders in exchange for Brock Nelson and William Dufour.

## International play

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. His ten points led the tournament in scoring. 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.

## Career statistics
### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2021–22 | Oshawa Generals | OHL | 65 | 19 | 26 | 45 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| 2022–23 | Oshawa Generals | OHL | 59 | 24 | 35 | 59 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Oshawa Generals | OHL | 50 | 28 | 52 | 80 | 20 | 21 | 8 | 22 | 30 | 16 |
| 2024–25 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| OHL totals | OHL totals | OHL totals | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |

### International

| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2022 | Canada | HG18 | | 5 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 2 |
| 2023 | Canada | U18 | | 7 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 4 |
| 2025 | Canada | WJC | 5th | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | 17 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 20 |

## Awards and honours

| Award | Year |
| OHL |||
| First All-Rookie Team | 2022 |
| Second All-Star Team | 2024 |