The Colorado Avalanche may have found an answer to their lack of depth up front as they’ve announced a three-year, entry-level contract with forward Calum Ritchie. The deal carries a cap hit of $950K and an AAV of $1.19MM including bonuses, per PuckPedia. The organization selected Ritchie as the 27th overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft with their highest selection since the 2020 NHL Draft.
During his draft year, the assistant captain for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL scored 24 goals and 59 points in 59 games while collecting another two goals and six points in five postseason contests. Ritchie also performed markedly well during the under-18 World Junior Championship on Team Canada as he scored three goals and nine points in seven tournament games en route to a gold medal.
While retaining the ’A’ on his jersey for the 2023-24 OHL campaign, Ritchie took a big step forward offensively. After missing the first 17 games of the season due to a shoulder injury the young forward rebounded with 28 goals and 80 points in 50 games. He was also one of the best players in the postseason for Oshawa as he scored eight goals and 30 points in 21 games but ultimately failed to help his team get past the London Knights in the OHL Finals.
The biggest asset in Ritchie’s game, which may allow him to crack Colorado’s roster out of training camp, is his ability to play off the puck. The Avalanche have several players able to drive singularly drive the play on their roster and Ritchie could act as a solid complimentary piece to those players. He also carries a physical edge to his game which Colorado has been looking for from their forwards for the last several years.