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Nick Ritchie
Nick Ritchie
Nick Ritchie
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Nicholas Ritchie (born December 5, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for HSC Csíkszereda in the Erste Liga. Ritchie was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round, tenth overall, of the 2014 NHL entry draft. Ritchie has also played for the Boston Bruins, Arizona Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Oulun Kärpät, the Iserlohn Roosters and HC Nové Zámky.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Ritchie was born on December 5, 1995, in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada[1] to parents Paul and Tammy. Ritchie comes from an athletic family with both his parents and older brother engaging in various sports throughout their lifetime. His mother was a three-sport athlete while attending Brock University and his father played in the Ontario Hockey League.[2] Before his older brother Brett was drafted in the 2011 NHL entry draft, they competed in lacrosse together.[3] As a youth, the younger Ritchie brother won three Canadian box lacrosse championships representing Team Ontario and helped the Bantam Orangeville team win an Ontario title.[4] Growing up, Ritchie's favourite team was the Toronto Maple Leafs.[5]

Playing career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Growing up in Orangeville, Ritchie competed with the Toronto Marlboros in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL) and with the Ontario Junior Hockey League's (OJHL) Georgetown Raiders. As a 15 year old, he scored 50 goals and 45 assists in 68 games to help the Marlboros compete for the OHL Cup.[6] During the offseason, he was named to Team Ontario at the 2011 U16 Canada Winter Games.[7] Ritchie gave up lacrosse in the summer of 2011 to focus completely on his hockey career. He was subsequently drafted second overall by the Peterborough Petes in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft.[4] In his first major junior hockey season with the Petes, Ritchie was one of the youngest players in the entire league. He skated in 62 games during the 2011–12 season and recorded 16 goals with 23 assists.[6]

Prior to the start of the 2013–14 season, Ritchie was named an assistant captain alongside Stephen Pierog and Nelson Armstrong.[8] By December, Ritchie had collected 15 goals and 11 assists in 28 games and was named to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.[9] As a result of his play, Ritchie was ranked seventh amongst North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's mid-season list of 2014 NHL entry draft eligible players.[10] On February 10, Ritchie was named OHL Player of the Week after he tied a franchise record by scoring five goals in one game against the Kingston Frontenacs.[11] After the Petes were eliminated from the 2014 OHL playoffs by the Oshawa Generals,[12] Ritchie was the recipient of the teams' Bill Bennett Award and Ed Rowe Memorial Award as the leading scorer and most goals winner.[13]

Ritchie was drafted in the first round, tenth overall, by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2014 NHL entry draft. On August 2, 2014, the Ducks signed Ritchie to a three-year, entry-level contract.[14] After attending the Ducks 2014–15 training camp, Ritchie was reassigned to the OHL's Peterborough Petes for his final junior season.[15] On January 7, 2015, Ritchie was traded by the Peterborough Petes to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, along with teammate Connor Boland, in exchange for Kyle Jenkins and four draft picks.[16]

Anaheim Ducks

[edit]

After attending the Ducks 2014–15 training camp, Ritchie was reassigned to the OHL's Peterborough Petes for his final junior season.[15] He was invited to the Ducks' 2015 training camp where he was praised by head coach Bruce Boudreau for his development. In an interview, Boudreau spoke highly of Ritchie, saying: "He feels more like a player whereas last year he was a little [raw]. He’s using his size, his speed and his strength to his advantage. It’s good for him."[17] However, he was still re-assigned to the Ducks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, to begin the season.[18] After playing in 12 games, and recording 12 points, Ritchie ranked tied for third among AHL leaders in goals. As a result, he was recalled to the NHL level on November 14, 2015, alongside teammate Michael Sgarbossa.[19] Ritchie subsequently made his NHL debut on November 16, 2015, against the Carolina Hurricanes, becoming the 11th youngest Duck to reach that milestone.[20] He later recorded his first NHL point, an assist, on December 1, 2015, during a 4–0 win over the Vancouver Canucks.[21] As he continued to play with the Ducks well into the new year, Ritchie recorded his first career NHL goal on March 14, 2016, in a 7–1 win over the New Jersey Devils.[22] He later scored a tip-in goal to help the Ducks win the Pacific Division title and qualify for the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.[23] However, before he could make his postseason debut, he was re-assigned to the Gulls. At the time of his reassigned, Ritchie had amassed four points in 33 games for the Ducks during the regular season.[24]

The following season, Ritchie made his the Ducks' home opening night roster against the Dallas Stars on October 13, 2016, where they fell 4-2.[25] He spent the majority of the season playing on a line alongside center Antoine Vermette and right wing Corey Perry and ranked eighth in the NHL in hits by April. On April 6, Ritchie was suspended two games for roughing Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Michal Rozsíval, and had to miss the last game of the regular season against the Los Angeles Kings. He returned to the lineup for the Ducks' first round playoff series against the Calgary Flames.[26] He scored in his second game back to spark a comeback in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round sweep of the Calgary Flames. After sweeping the Flames in four games, the Ducks entered the second round against the Edmonton Oilers. After committing a penalty during Game 1 of the series, Ritchie was scratched for Game 2 and had decreased ice time during Game 3.[27] However, Ritchie scored the game winning goal in Game 7[28] to send the Ducks to the 2017 Western Conference Finals against the Nashville Predators.[29] During the series, Ritchie was ejected from Game 6 for boarding Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson.[30] The Ducks ended up being eliminated that game and the Predators went on to the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals.[31]

On October 19, 2018, the Ducks signed Ritchie to a three-year, $4.6 million contract, ending his holdout. Ritchie missed the team's first seven games of the season.[32]

Boston Bruins

[edit]

On February 24, 2020, Ritchie was dealt at the trade deadline to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Danton Heinen. At the time of the trade, he had recorded eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 41 games.[33] Ritchie only played in seven games, where he recorded one goal and an assist, before the league paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

In the following pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Ritchie played his 300th career NHL game on January 26, 2021, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.[34] In a rebound season with the Bruins, he appeared in every game with the Bruins, collecting 15 goals and 26 points in 56 contests. He added 4 points in 11 playoff games before he was surprisingly released as a free agent by the Bruins after he was not tendered a qualifying offer as an impending restricted free agent.

Toronto Maple Leafs

[edit]

On July 31, 2021, Ritchie was signed to a two-year, $5 million contract with his childhood team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.[35] Ritchie was primarily signed to replace Zach Hyman's role, who the Leafs lost to the Edmonton Oilers during the same free agency period, and was expected to serve as a gritty, aggressive winger on the top line alongside Auston Matthews.[36][37] However, Ritchie struggled in his time with Toronto, failing to contribute offensively and not being able to keep up with the speed of his linemates; after starting the season in his expected role on the top line, Ritchie was gradually demoted until finally being placed on waivers on January 6, 2022.[38] He cleared waivers the following day and was assigned to the Toronto Maple Leafs' taxi squad. After the NHL eliminated the taxi squad following the NHL All Star break, Ritchie was assigned to the Toronto Marlies, for which he appeared in two contests for, scoring one goal. Following waiving Ritchie, the team began to explore trade opportunities to give him another opportunity at playing in the NHL and to alleviate his burdensome cap hit.[39]

Arizona Coyotes

[edit]

On February 19, 2022, Ritchie was traded to the Arizona Coyotes along with a third-round pick in 2023 or a second-round pick in 2025 in exchange for Ryan Dzingel and Ilya Lyubushkin.[40]

During the 2022–23 season, having re-established himself in the league through his tenure with the Coyotes, he posted 21 points through 58 games.

Calgary Flames

[edit]

On March 3, 2023, Ritchie was dealt at the NHL trade deadline by the Coyotes, alongside Troy Stecher to the Calgary Flames in exchange for his older brother Brett Ritchie and Connor Mackey.[41] It marked the first time in NHL history that brothers were traded directly for each other,[42] but the second time overall in North American professional sports, following a 2008 National Basketball Association (NBA) trade that saw Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol traded for each other. Nick scored his first goal in his debut game with the Calgary Flames against the Dallas Stars on March 6.[43]

During the 2023–24 preseason, Ritchie signed a professional tryout offer with the St. Louis Blues on September 14, but was released on September 29.[44][45]

Oulun Kärpät

[edit]

On November 25, 2023, Ritchie signed a one-year contract with SM-liiga club Oulun Kärpät.[46] On December 29, Ritchie was handed an eight-game suspension after he had punched HC TPS player Markus Nurmi to the head multiple times while he was lying on the ice.[47][48] On January 29, 2024, Kärpät announced that they had terminated Ritchie's contract.[49]

Iserlohn Roosters

[edit]

On January 29, 2024, the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) announced that they had signed Ritchie.[50]

Slovak Extraliga

[edit]

On October 24, 2024, Ritchie signed with HC Nové Zámky of the Slovak Extraliga.[51] While there, he played two games against his brother, Brett, who played for HK Nitra.[52] After recording 24 points in 19 games for Nové Zámky, Ritchie transferred within the league to HC Slovan Bratislava on January 31, 2025.[53]

Erste Liga

[edit]

On December 11, 2025, Ritchie signed with HSC Csíkszereda of the Erste Liga for the remainder of the season.[54]

International career

[edit]

During the 2012–13 season, Ritchie played with the Canada men's national under-18 ice hockey team to win gold medals at both the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament[55] and the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships.[56] He was later named to the Canadian men's national junior ice hockey team for the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[57]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2011–12 Peterborough Petes OHL 62 16 23 39 60 — — — — —
2012–13 Peterborough Petes OHL 41 18 17 35 50 — — — — —
2013–14 Peterborough Petes OHL 61 39 35 74 136 11 5 5 10 24
2014–15 Peterborough Petes OHL 25 14 18 32 69 — — — — —
2014–15 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 23 15 15 30 44 14 13 13 26 28
2015–16 San Diego Gulls AHL 38 16 14 30 59 9 5 3 8 20
2015–16 Anaheim Ducks NHL 33 2 2 4 37 — — — — —
2016–17 Anaheim Ducks NHL 77 14 14 28 62 15 4 0 4 46
2017–18 Anaheim Ducks NHL 76 10 17 27 72 4 0 0 0 8
2018–19 Anaheim Ducks NHL 60 9 22 31 82 — — — — —
2019–20 Anaheim Ducks NHL 41 8 11 19 78 — — — — —
2019–20 Boston Bruins NHL 7 1 1 2 19 8 1 0 1 16
2020–21 Boston Bruins NHL 56 15 11 26 37 11 1 3 4 10
2021–22 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 33 2 7 9 23 — — — — —
2021–22 Toronto Marlies AHL 2 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2021–22 Arizona Coyotes NHL 24 10 4 14 20 — — — — —
2022–23 Arizona Coyotes NHL 58 9 12 21 43 — — — — —
2022–23 Calgary Flames NHL 16 4 1 5 10 — — — — —
2023–24 Oulun Kärpät Liiga 10 1 4 5 70 — — — — —
2023–24 Iserlohn Roosters DEL 8 1 1 2 8 — — — — —
2024–25 HC Nové Zámky Slovak 19 11 13 24 100 — — — — —
2024–25 HC Slovan Bratislava Slovak 8 1 4 5 14 3 1 2 3 6
NHL totals 481 84 102 186 483 38 6 3 9 80
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Canada
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Canada
IIHF World U18 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2013 Russia
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold medal – first place 2012 Piešťany
Representing Ontario Canada Ontario
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Windsor

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2012 Canada Ontario U17 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 3 1 2 3 2
2012 Canada IH18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 1 1 2 31
2013 Canada U18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 1 3 4 10
2015 Canada WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 1 0 1 6
Junior totals 19 4 6 10 49

Awards and honours

[edit]
Award Year Ref
OHL
All-Rookie First Team 2011–12 [58]
International
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament gold medal 2012 [59]
IIHF World U18 Championships gold medal 2013 [60]
IIHF World U20 Championships gold medal 2015

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Nick Ritchie

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Nicholas Ritchie (born December 5, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for of the . Standing at 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) tall and weighing 236 pounds (107 kg), Ritchie shoots left and hails from , where he grew up in a hockey family; his father, Paul Ritchie, played in the NHL, and his older brother, Brett Ritchie, also had a professional career in the league. Ritchie began his junior career with the U16 AAA before joining the of the (OHL) in 2011–12, where he recorded 102 goals and 108 assists over 210 games, earning OHL First All-Rookie Team honors in his debut season. His standout junior performance, including 74 points in 61 games during the 2013–14 season, led to his selection as the 10th overall pick by the in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Ritchie's professional career began in the (AHL) with the Norfolk Admirals and affiliates of , where he posted 30 points in 38 games during the 2015–16 season before earning his first NHL call-up. He made his NHL debut with Anaheim in 2015 and went on to play 481 regular-season games across five teams, scoring 84 goals and 102 assists for 186 points, along with 483 penalty minutes; his most productive season came in 2018–19 with , when he tallied 31 points in 60 games. Traded to the in 2019, Ritchie contributed to their 2021 playoff run, then moved to the in 2021, followed by stints with the and before becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2022–23 season. Internationally, Ritchie represented at the youth level, winning gold medals at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, the 2013 , and the 2015 , while also earning bronze at the 2012 . After spending time in the Finnish and German in 2023–24, Ritchie signed with HC Nové Zámky in the for the 2024–25 season before transferring to in February 2025 to continue his professional career overseas.

Early life

Family background

Nick Ritchie was born on December 5, 1995, in , . Ritchie's family has deep roots in athletics, with his father, Paul Ritchie, a former player in the during the early 1980s, and his mother, Tammy Ritchie, an accomplished three-sport athlete who excelled in , , and . Paul Ritchie, an avid enthusiast, played a key role in introducing his sons to hockey by providing them with sticks and skates from a young age, fostering their early interest in the sport. Tammy Ritchie supported the family's athletic pursuits, contributing to a household environment that emphasized physical activity and competition. Ritchie grew up on the family's horse farm in , where daily responsibilities included caring for the animals, blending rural life with sports involvement. This setting provided a balanced upbringing, with Ritchie often assisting on the farm alongside his older brother, Brett Ritchie, who also pursued a professional hockey career and reached the National Hockey League. From an early age, Ritchie gained exposure to competitive sports through local programs in Orangeville, including lacrosse, which he played starting at age four or five for local teams. This foundation in community athletics, supported by his family's encouragement, helped shape his development amid the demands of farm life.

Youth development

Ritchie began his organized hockey journey in minor hockey programs in his hometown of , where his family provided strong support—his father coached, his mother cheered, and his brother also excelled in the sport. He advanced to the minor hockey association at the U16 AAA level in the (GTHL) for the 2010-11 season. There, as a 14-year-old turning 15, Ritchie showcased his scoring prowess and physical presence, tallying 50 goals and 45 assists for 95 points in 68 regular-season games. During the OHL Cup tournament that year, representing the , Ritchie recorded 5 goals and 4 assists in 7 games, contributing to his team's championship victory and drawing early attention from OHL scouts for his blend of size, skill, and competitive drive. These performances in youth competition highlighted Ritchie's potential as a , generating significant scouting interest that positioned him for OHL draft eligibility.

Playing career

Junior career

Nick Ritchie was selected second overall by the in the 2011 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection, marking him as one of the top prospects available in the draft. He joined the team for the 2011–12 season as a 15-year-old , appearing in 62 games and recording 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points, while accumulating 60 penalty minutes. His performance earned him a spot on the OHL First All-Rookie Team, recognizing his immediate impact as a physical with scoring potential. Over the next two seasons, Ritchie continued to develop with the Petes, playing a total of 102 games and tallying 57 goals and 52 assists for 109 points, along with 186 penalty minutes, showcasing his blend of size, skill, and physicality. In the 2013–14 season, he achieved a breakout performance, leading the team with 39 goals and 35 assists for 74 points in 61 games, which highlighted his elite shot and net-front presence. That year, Ritchie was selected to participate in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, where he competed against other top draft-eligible players, further elevating his profile ahead of the NHL Draft. Ritchie's junior tenure with the Petes spanned four seasons through early 2015, during which he amassed 87 goals and 93 assists for 180 points in 189 games, establishing himself as a of the team's offense. His efforts culminated in being chosen 10th overall by the in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Following the draft, Ritchie signed a three-year entry-level with on August 2, 2014, paving the way for his transition to professional hockey after completing his final junior season.

Anaheim Ducks

Following his selection by the Anaheim Ducks in the first round (10th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Nick Ritchie signed a three-year entry-level contract with the organization on August 2, 2014. He was assigned to the Ducks' (AHL) affiliates, the Norfolk Admirals and , to begin the 2015–16 professional season, where he posted 30 points (16 goals and 14 assists) with 59 penalty minutes in 38 regular-season games (3 with Norfolk and 35 with San Diego). His strong performance earned him a midseason call-up to the NHL in November 2015. Ritchie made his NHL debut on November 16, 2015, against the , logging 10:31 of ice time on the second line alongside and Chris Stewart while registering four hits but no points. In 33 games with the during the 2015–16 season, he recorded four points (two goals and two assists) with 37 penalty minutes. His first NHL goal came on March 14, 2016, in a 7–1 victory over the , marking him as one of the youngest players in Ducks history to score at that age (20 years, 100 days). Ritchie secured a full-time role in the NHL for the 2016–17 season, appearing in 77 games and contributing 28 points (14 goals and 14 assists) along with a plus-4 rating. He added five points (three goals and two assists) in 17 playoff games as the Ducks advanced to the Western Conference Final, including the series-clinching goal in Game 7 against the . The following year, in 2017–18, Ritchie skated in 76 games, notching 27 points (10 goals and 17 assists) with a plus-3 rating and 72 penalty minutes. As a restricted free agent after the 2017–18 season, Ritchie held out from training camp amid stalled contract talks, missing the Ducks' preseason. The impasse ended on October 17, 2018, when he agreed to a three-year, $4.6 million contract with an average annual value of approximately $1.53 million. In the 2018–19 season, Ritchie reached a career high with 31 points (nine goals and 22 assists) in 60 games, helping establish his presence as a physical power forward on the Ducks' roster. Ritchie's tenure with the Ducks concluded on February 24, 2020, when he was traded to the in exchange for forward .

Boston Bruins

On February 24, 2020, the acquired Nick Ritchie from the in exchange for forward . At the time of the trade, Ritchie had recorded eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 41 games during the 2019–20 season with Anaheim. Ritchie appeared in the final seven regular-season games for the Bruins before the league paused operations on March 12, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, registering one goal and one assist for two points. Upon the league's resumption in the Toronto and Edmonton bubble, he played in eight playoff games across the qualifying round, round-robin tournament, and first and second rounds, scoring one goal in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bruins were eliminated in five games by Tampa Bay. Entering the 2020–21 season, Ritchie remained with the Bruins under the final year of his two-year bridge contract originally signed with Anaheim, carrying a $1.5 million cap hit. In the shortened 56-game schedule, he established himself as a bottom-six forward and power-play contributor, appearing in all 56 games and tallying 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points—his career high in goals—while accumulating 37 penalty minutes. Following the 2020–21 season, the Bruins declined to tender Ritchie a qualifying offer of approximately $2 million, making him an unrestricted on July 28, 2021. During his 15-month stint with , Ritchie totaled 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points in 63 regular-season games and nine playoff games, providing physical presence and net-front scoring but struggling with consistency in a limited third- or fourth-line role.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Nick Ritchie joined the as an unrestricted on July 31, 2021, signing a two-year contract worth $5 million with an average annual value of $2.5 million, marking a return to his hometown team after stints with the and . Previously acquired by the Bruins from the Ducks at the 2020 trade deadline in exchange for , Ritchie had posted 26 points in 56 games during the 2020-21 season with Boston before becoming an unrestricted . In his lone full NHL season with during 2021-22, Ritchie transitioned from an initial top-line role alongside and to a more consistent bottom-six forward position, where he contributed physical play and secondary scoring but struggled with consistency. He recorded 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points in 33 games, averaging 11:59 of ice time per game while registering 23 shots on goal and a minus-6 rating. To manage cap space and roster depth, Ritchie was placed on waivers on January 6, 2022, and assigned to the of the , where he appeared in 2 games, scoring 1 goal before being recalled. Ritchie's time with the Maple Leafs ended on February 19, 2022, when he was traded to the along with a conditional draft pick in exchange for forward and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin. The conditional pick allowed Arizona to select between Toronto's 2023 third-round choice or 2025 second-round pick; the Coyotes opted for the latter on February 25, 2023, which Toronto conveyed at the 2025 NHL Draft.

Arizona Coyotes

On February 19, 2022, the Arizona Coyotes acquired Nick Ritchie from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Ryan Dzingel, defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, and a conditional second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Ritchie completed the 2021–22 season with Arizona, appearing in 24 games and recording 6 goals and 4 assists while adapting to a bottom-six role on a rebuilding team. Entering the 2022–23 season under the remaining terms of his prior with a $2.5 million cap hit, Ritchie solidified his position as a reliable depth forward for the Coyotes amid ongoing franchise challenges, including arena disputes that forced 14 home games to be played in . In 38 games, he produced 9 goals and 12 assists for 21 points, providing secondary scoring from the third and fourth lines. Ritchie's physical playing style added grit to the forward group, as evidenced by his aggressive forechecking and board battles that supported the team's transition play. As a veteran presence on a young roster navigating uncertainty, Ritchie contributed to team morale through consistent effort and leadership in practice, helping maintain focus during a season marked by relocation rumors and operational instability. On March 3, 2023, he was traded to the Calgary Flames along with defenseman Troy Stecher for defenseman Connor Mackey and forward Brett Ritchie, his older brother, in a notable sibling swap at the NHL trade deadline.

Calgary Flames

On March 3, 2023, Nick Ritchie was traded from the to the , along with defenseman , in exchange for defenseman and forward Brett Ritchie. Ritchie appeared in 20 games for during the remainder of the 2022–23 season, recording 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points, along with 12 penalty minutes and a minus-7 rating. He provided physicality in a bottom-six role but did not appear in the as the Flames missed the postseason. His contract expired at the end of the campaign, rendering him an unrestricted on July 1, 2023. As an unrestricted , Ritchie signed a professional tryout agreement with the on September 14, 2023, but was released on September 30 without appearing in a game. He then pursued opportunities in .

Oulun Kärpät

Following his time with the , where he became an unrestricted after the , Nick Ritchie signed a one-year contract with of Finland's on November 25, 2023. The deal marked his first professional stint in , aimed at revitalizing his career after a challenging period in North American leagues. Ritchie's tenure with Kärpät was brief and tumultuous, as he appeared in just 10 regular-season games during the 2023–24 campaign, recording 5 points (1 goal and 4 assists) while accumulating a league-high 70 penalty minutes among his limited appearances. His physical style, known for its enforcer elements from his NHL days, often led to infractions, but it failed to translate effectively into consistent offensive contributions on the Finnish circuit. A pivotal incident occurred on December 28, 2023, during a game against TPS , when Ritchie repeatedly punched defenseless opponent Markus Nurmi in the head after a penalty shot miss, resulting in an 8-game suspension handed down by the the following day. The ban, one of the longer disciplinary actions in the league that season, highlighted ongoing concerns about his on-ice conduct. The combination of modest production and the significant suspension strained Ritchie's relationship with the club, leading to a mutual termination of his contract on January 29, 2024. Kärpät cited the need to move forward without further disruptions, while Ritchie sought new opportunities elsewhere. This early exit underscored the challenges Ritchie faced in adapting to the more disciplined and skill-oriented play of the Liiga, ending what was intended as a fresh start in European hockey.

Iserlohn Roosters

Following the mutual termination of his contract with in the Finnish on January 29, 2024, Nick Ritchie signed a short-term deal with the of Germany's (DEL). The agreement allowed Ritchie, a 28-year-old left winger known for his physical presence, to continue his professional career in amid efforts to regain competitive form after limited play in Finland. Ritchie appeared in eight regular-season games for the Roosters during the 2023-24 campaign, registering one goal and one assist for two points while accumulating eight penalty minutes. His role emphasized physical contributions, including forechecking and board battles, aligning with the team's need for a robust bottom-six forward, though his overall production remained modest as he adjusted to the DEL's style. The Roosters opted not to extend Ritchie's contract beyond the season, releasing him on , 2024, ahead of the offseason to pursue other roster adjustments. This brief stint marked Ritchie's introduction to German professional hockey, providing a transitional opportunity following his North American NHL experience.

Slovak Extraliga

In October 2024, Nick Ritchie signed a one-year with HC of the . Over 19 games with the club, he tallied 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points, establishing a strong scoring pace of 1.26 . On January 31, 2025, Ritchie transferred within the Extraliga to for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. In eight regular-season appearances with Slovan, he contributed one goal and four assists, while adding one goal and two assists in three playoff games as the team advanced in the postseason before elimination in the eighth-final round. Ritchie signed a one-year deal with Slovan in February 2025, extending his tenure into the 2025–26 season. As of November 2025, he continues to play for the club, providing offensive contributions and leadership on the forward lines amid his adaptation to the European style of play.

International career

Junior international appearances

Ritchie's first international experience came at the 2011 , where he represented Team and helped secure a . In 3 games, he recorded 3 points (1 goal and 2 assists), contributing to the team's success in the tournament held in , . The following year, Ritchie joined Canada's national under-18 team at the 2012 in , , where the team won . As a key contributor with his physical presence and scoring touch, he played a role in Canada's fifth consecutive title at the prestigious summer showcase. Ritchie returned for the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships in Sochi, Russia, earning another gold medal with Canada. Over 4 games, he tallied 4 points (1 goal and 3 assists), supporting the team's undefeated run to the championship.

Senior international appearances

Ritchie was selected to represent Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships following a strong start to his 2014–15 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season with the Peterborough Petes, where he recorded 14 goals and 18 assists in 25 games. In the tournament held in Toronto and Montreal, he appeared in all seven games, scoring one goal while accumulating six penalty minutes, contributing to Canada's gold medal victory over Russia in the final. As of November 2025, Ritchie has not earned any senior international appearances for , with his post-NHL career centered on professional club play in and .

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Nick Ritchie's professional regular season statistics span the National Hockey League (NHL), (AHL), Finnish , German , and Slovak , accumulating 566 games, 115 goals, 138 assists, and 253 points overall.
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
2015–16NHL3322437
2015–16AHL3816143059
2016–17NHL7714142862
2017–18NHL7610172772
2018–19NHL609223182
2019–20NHL418111978
2019–20NHL711219
2020–21NHL5615112637
2021–22NHL3327923
2021–22AHL21010
2021–22NHL241041420
2022–23NHL589122143
2022–23NHL1641510
2023–24Kärpät1014570
2023–24DEL81128
2024–25HC Nové ZámkySlovak19111324100
2024–25Slovak814514
NHL totals48184102186483
AHL totals4017143159
Liiga totals1014570
DEL totals81128
Slovak totals27121729114
In the playoffs, Ritchie has appeared in 50 games across these leagues, recording 8 goals, 8 assists, and 16 points.
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIM
2015–16San Diego GullsAHL953820
2016–17Anaheim DucksNHL1540446
2017–18Anaheim DucksNHL40008
2019–20Boston BruinsNHL810116
2020–21Boston BruinsNHL1113410
2024–25HC Slovan BratislavaSlovak31236
NHL totals3863980
AHL totals953820
Slovak totals31236

International

Nick Ritchie represented Canada in various junior international ice hockey tournaments, accumulating points across multiple competitions.
TournamentYearTeamGPGAPtsPIM
World U17 Hockey Challenge2012Canada Ontario U1731232
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament2012Canada U18511231
IIHF World U18 Championships2013Canada U18413410
IIHF World Junior Championships2015Canada U2071016

Awards and achievements

Junior awards

During his junior career in the (OHL) with the , Nick Ritchie earned recognition for his rookie performance, highlighted by his selection to the 2011–12 OHL First All-Rookie Team, where he recorded 39 points in 62 games as one of the league's top-scoring newcomers. On the international stage, Ritchie contributed to 's success at several major under-17 and under-18 tournaments. He helped secure a with Team Canada Ontario at the 2012 in , scoring in a preliminary round game against . Ritchie was part of the gold medal-winning Canadian team at the 2012 Memorial Tournament (now known as the ) in , , where Canada defeated 3–1 in the final; he was selected for the roster as a promising from the 2011 OHL Priority Selection. In 2013, he played a role in Canada's gold medal victory at the IIHF World Under-18 Championships in , , defeating the 3–2 in the championship game, with Ritchie named to the tournament roster alongside other top prospects. Ritchie's junior international career culminated at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships in Toronto and Montreal, where he helped Canada claim gold with a 5–4 overtime win over Russia in the final, contributing one goal in seven games.

Professional achievements

Ritchie's professional career in the National Hockey League (NHL) began with the , where he made his debut on November 16, 2015, against the . He scored his first NHL goal on March 14, 2016, in a 3-2 victory over the , wiring a shot past during a . Over eight NHL seasons with five teams, Ritchie accumulated 186 points (84 goals and 102 assists) in 481 regular-season games, with his career-high performance coming in the 2018-19 season, when he recorded 31 points (9 goals and 22 assists) in 60 games for the . A notable footnote in Ritchie's NHL tenure occurred on March 3, 2023, when he was traded from the to the along with defenseman in exchange for his older brother Brett Ritchie and prospect , marking the first brother-for-brother trade in league history. Ritchie participated in the 2015–16 AHL with the . Following his NHL career, Ritchie transitioned to , where he has been recognized for his physical, 6-foot-3, 236-pound frame that adds toughness to forward lines. In the 2023-24 season, he played for in Finland's and in Germany's , contributing size and hitting ability despite limited production. For the 2024-25 season, Ritchie signed with HC in the in October 2024, where he tallied 24 points in 19 games before transferring to on January 31, 2025, to bolster their contending roster. As of November 2025, Ritchie has not received any major professional awards in the NHL or beyond his AHL All-Star appearance, though his physical style has been a consistent asset across competitions.

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/player/nick-ritchie-8477941
  2. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/r/ritchni01.html
  3. https://thehockeynews.com/international/latest-news/nick-ritchie-moves-within-slovakia-to-slovan-bratislava
  4. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/99036/nick-ritchie
  5. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=138947
  6. https://thehockeynews.com/international/players/nick-ritchie-signs-in-slovakia
  7. https://chl.ca/ohl-sting/ritchie-s-success-a-family-affair/
  8. https://www.ocregister.com/2014/09/23/ducks-top-draft-pick-ritchie-rich-in-size-skills-ambition/
  9. https://standardbredcanada.ca/news/5-16-20/one-barn-another.html
  10. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4274141/2023/03/14/flames-coyotes-ritchie-brothers/
  11. https://chl.ca/ohl-petes/nick-ritchie-gives-up-lacrosse-for-hockey/
  12. https://chl.ca/ohl-petes/making-the-jump-5-questions-with-nicholas-ritchie-peterborough-petes/
  13. https://chl.ca/ohl/ohl-cup-minor-midget-top-10-rankings_165755/
  14. https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/ohl-priority-selection/2011
  15. https://www.eliteprospects.com/awards/ohl?name=OHL%20First%20All-Rookie%20Team
  16. https://chl.ca/ohl-petes/cornel-and-ritchie-to-play-in-top-prospects-game/
  17. https://www.ocregister.com/2015/11/16/ducks-nick-ritchie-makes-nhl-debut/
  18. https://records.nhl.com/ana/records/skater-records/youngest-players/youngest-players-first-nhl-goal
  19. https://thehockeywriters.com/anaheim-ducks-nick-ritchie-contract-holdout/
  20. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/17/anaheim-ducks-sign-holdout-nick-ritchie-to-3-year-/
  21. https://www.nhl.com/news/ritchie-traded-to-bruins-by-ducks-for-heinen-315483080
  22. https://puckpedia.com/player/nick-ritchie
  23. https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/07/26/bruins-dont-extend-qualifying-offers-to-nick-ritchie-ondrej-kase/
  24. https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-sign-forward-nick-ritchie-325885776
  25. https://www.nhl.com/news/ritchie-traded-to-bruins-by-ducks-for-heinen/c-315483080
  26. https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/analysis/nick-ritchie-im-always-going-to-remember-playing-for-the-leafs
  27. https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nick-ritchie-complicates-maple-leafs-ability-shuffle-lines/
  28. https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2269186/maple-leafs-place-ritchie-on-waivers
  29. https://theahl.com/stats/player/6086
  30. https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33332857/toronto-maple-leafs-trade-nick-ritchie-arizona-coyotes-ilya-lyubushkin-forward-ryan-dzingel
  31. https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-leafs-send-2025-second-rounder-to-arizona-coyotes-to-complete-nick-ritchie-trade-1.1923603
  32. https://www.nhl.com/news/maple-leafs-trade-ritchie-to-coyotes-for-dzingel-lyubushkin-330995986
  33. https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/arizona-coyotes/cap/_/year/2022
  34. https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/players/news/nick-ritchie/2552/page1
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  36. https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/11/nick-ritchie-signs-in-finland.html
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  38. https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/former-nhler-nick-ritchie-suspended-eight-games-in-liiga-for-repeatedly-punching-opponent
  39. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article/former-nhler-nick-ritchie-suspended-eight-games-in-finnish-league-for-punching-opponent/
  40. https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2024/10/nick-ritchie-signs-in-slovakia.html
  41. https://www.bladeofsteel.com/nhl/news/Former-top-ten-pick-free-to-leave-European-club-following-lengthy-suspension
  42. https://www.eliteprospects.com/transfer/2024/01/29/nick-ritchie-in-a-confirmed-transaction-to-iserlohn-roosters/550083
  43. https://www.markerzone.com/news/index.php?no=329242
  44. https://quanthockey.com/hockey-stats/en/profile.php?player=25334
  45. https://www.hawksinsider.com/nhl/news/iserlohn-roosters-not-resigning-nick-ritchie-making-him-a-ufa
  46. https://www.hockeypatrol.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/nick-ritchie-faces-free-agency-set-to-become-unrestricted-free-agent-this-summer
  47. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/169/hc-slovan-bratislava/stats/2024-2025
  48. https://www.quanthockey.com/slovak-extraliga/en/teams/hc-slovan-bratislava-players-2024-25-playoff-slovak-extraliga-stats.html
  49. https://www.sofascore.com/ice-hockey/player/ritchie-nick/795304
  50. https://www.bladeofsteel.com/nhl/news/former-nhl-player-nick-ritchie-has-signed-a-new-professional-contract
  51. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/national-championships/men/world-u17/2011
  52. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2012-nr-105-en
  53. https://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/349/IHM3490CAN_83_7_0.pdf
  54. https://chl.ca/ohl-petes/nick-ritchie-to-represent-canada-at-world-junior-hockey-championships/
  55. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/ivan-hlinka-memorial/stats/2012-2013
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  58. https://windsorstar.com/news/team-ontario-opens-with-5-0-win-over-germany
  59. https://thehockeywriters.com/breaking-down-canadas-2012-ivan-hlinka-memorial-roster/
  60. https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/roster-named-for-2013-u18-worlds
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  63. https://www.orangeville.com/life/team-canada-and-nick-ritchie-are-world-junior-gold-medalists/article_6cf4a66d-be81-58d2-9d73-7b1c14b6e40a.html
  64. https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/983311
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