The Canadian junior hockey team got some potentially good news on Wednesday.
With the Colorado Avalanche sending Calum Ritchie back to the OHL's Oshawa Generals, the forward becomes a strong bet to play for Canada at the world junior championship starting Dec. 26 in Ottawa.
Ritchie, a first-round pick (27th overall) by Colorado in 2023, has one goal in seven games with the Avalanche this season. Once a player plays 10 games in an NHL season, his entry-level contract kicks in.
The six-foot-two Ritchie, from Oakville, Ont., helped Oshawa advance to the OHL final last year with 28 goals and 52 assists for 80 points in 50 games.
The Generals are expected to be a title contender again this year.
Ritchie, defenceman Ben Danford (Toronto Maple Leafs) and forwards Colby Barlow (Winnipeg Jets) and Beckett Sennecke (Anaheim Ducks) are all NHL first-round picks.
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