Sam Cosentino on the player: One of the most polarizing players in this draft class, all Ritchie does is produce. After a brilliant Hlinka-Gretzky, in which he led the tournament with 10 points in five games, he was projected as a top 10 pick. His season with the Oshawa Generals produced 59 points in 59 games, but he wasn’t nearly as effective in the latter part of the season thanks to shoulder issues. Those issues lingered through the playoffs, but with a bit of rest before the U18 worlds, he was able to play, though still not at 100 per cent.
Despite being banged up Ritchie used his size, skating ability and smarts to help Canada to a bronze medal. Again, he racked up nine points in seven games. The point-producing trend was also evident at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game where Ritchie had a goal and an assist, two shots, a plus-2 rating and won five of 11 faceoffs.
While there doesn’t seem to be that one “dynamic” element to his game, scouts can’t turn a blind eye to his size (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) and ability to consistently produce points regardless of the competition.
Jason Bukala’s scouting report: A potential power forward who leans goal scorer more than playmaker.
A threat to produce on the PP. When he sets up net front around the crease, he is a load to defend against.
There are nights where he looks like he might be going through the motions, but he contributes offence his own way. Played through injury the entire season (torn labrum in shoulder). He’s in the beginning stages of recovery from off-season surgery and when he returns healthy, he will need to find a way to push his pace more consistently shift to shift. There’s no denying his results. His elements are offence and size.
