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Calum Ritchie signs ELC, where does he end up?

  
Ritchie
Calum Ritchie puts on the Colorado Avalanche sweater for the first time at the 2023 draft (Photo courtesy of AP Photo/George Walker IV)

The Colorado Avalanche has done what every fan was asking for. They signed Calum Ritchie with an entry-level contract (ELC). Ritchie has signed a three-year ELC with the team, but it has a couple of stipulations with it. According to the NHL-CHL agreement, they are required to assign Ritchie to the Avalanche or the Oshawa Generals, not the Colorado Eagles, until he turns 20 on January 21st.

Development camp

The Avalanche drafted Ritchie 27th overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. This summer was the first year that he could take part in the Avalanche Development Camp because of a shoulder injury. And boy, did he impress. During the scrimmage at the end of camp, Ritchie would tally three assists. The forward flew through the zone with ease and, most importantly, his head was up the entire way. During the drills, his initial speed on his stride has a lot of power and his shot has a lot of accuracy.

Last season

This last season, Ritchie played for the Oshawa Generals and would lead them to the OHL finals and losing to the London Knights. Playing 50 games after coming back from the injury, Richie racked up 80 (28–52) points during the regular season, a career high. During Ritchie’s 21 playoff games, he tallied 30 (8–22) points. Ritchie would elevate several of his teammate’s draft status this year, making them get drafted much higher.

Conclusion

The Avalanche will have a lot to watch for in the young center. He will fight for a spot on the roster with players like Chris Wagner and Jean-Luc Foudy. If Ritche makes the squad, they would have nine games to decide on if he stays in the NHL or needs to go back to OHL. If Ritchie plays more than nine games, he would burn a year of his contract. So there will be a lot of questions surrounding the Brampton native going into camp. The biggest one will be. Will he stick?

 

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