After seven games in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche have sent Calum Ritchie back to his OHL club, the Oshawa Generals.
The Avs called up Chris Wagner in a corresponding move.
We have recalled Chris Wagner from the Colorado Eagles.
In addition, Calum Ritchie has been reassigned to the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. pic.twitter.com/az7HeMsowC
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 23, 2024
Ritchie was on a 9-game “tryout” of sorts to start the season as the Avs have dealt with depth issues among the forward lines. He could play in nine NHL games without burning a year of his Entry Level Contract.
The 19-year-old played in seven regular season games, scoring one goal and did not tally an assist.
CAL RITCHIE 🗣️#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/OonGUNNx9Z
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 15, 2024
Ritchie bounced between the first, second and third lines throughout the seventh game. During Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Kraken, Ritchie played in just three shifts in the second and third periods combined.
Ritchie came to the Avalanche known as a center but had to spend the majority of his ice time as a winger. He will now return to the Generals as one of the team’s captains and likely garner plenty of ice time.
The Ontario native was going to get an opportunity to make the team out of camp. The NHL has an agreement with the Canadian Major Junior leagues (WHL, OHL, QMJHL): if a player is under 20 years old, he is not allowed to be sent to the AHL team and must be sent to his junior team.
“You want to do what’s best for [Ritchie] long-term in his development,” Bednar said at the start of camp. “If we see a role that he can fill and grow into throughout the course of the regular season where he can make an impact come playoff time then listen, I am open to playing kids. Whoever can get the job done.”
It has likely been declared that Ritchie still needs more development to help the Avs during crucial parts of the season. They are set to bring in some reinforcements over the next couple of months that would have seen Ritchie’s ice time dwindle significantly.
Artturi Lehkonen, one of Colorado’s top six forwards, is expected to return to the lineup soon. Valeri Nichushkin could return with the Avalanche in November and Gabriel Landeskog could also return over the next couple of months.
For now, Ritchie will have the opportunity to lead the Generals as well as possibly lead Team Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship which is historically a tremendous honor for young Canadian hockey players.
The Avalanche will see Ritchie once again in the offseason when he is 20 years old and will be able to be assigned to the Colorado Eagles in the AHL instead of back to junior hockey.