The future for the Colorado Avalanche was bleak, except for one prospect in the system. That one prospect was none other than Cal Ritchie.

With the Avalanche

Ritchie had been coming up the ranks and was a name to be familiar with. Cal was drafted 27th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Avs.

He only needed one additional year in the OHL with the Oshawa Generals to prove his worth. Additionally, he scored 80 points in 50 games and tacked on 30 points in 21 playoff games.

He worked his way through Development Camp and finally signed his entry-level contract the summer before the 2024-25 season. He stayed in Colorado, continuing his development right up through training camp and preseason.

Thanks to his diligent and hard work, he earned an Opening Night roster spot with the Avalanche. It was going to be an intriguing sight to see whether or not the Avs gave Ritchie his full nine-game tryout before burning a year of his ELC, end it sooner, or keep him around for the entire year.

As the seemingly future 2C, Ritchie struggled and did show he was not quite ready to make the jump up to the NHL full-time. Regardless, he scored his first NHL goal against the New York Islanders.

Who knew it would be the start of a connection with Long Island? More on that later.

After seven games in the Mile High City, he was sent back to the Generals in the OHL. He once again tore up the league, scoring 70 points in 47 games. In 21 playoff games, he recorded 25 points en route to the OHL Finals for the second straight year against the London Knights.

Ritchie showed on the international stage as well for Team Canada at the World Juniors. He scored and had one assist in five games.

With the Islanders

While he continued destroying the OHL and exciting Avalanche fans, the organization decided to be bold and go big at the trade deadline. Ritchie ended up being part of said big trade at the deadline.

The New York Islanders would be on the receiving end of a Ritchie trade. He was part of a massive haul involving Oliver Kylington, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and a conditional third-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.

Ritchie didn’t suit up for Patrick Roy and the Isles last season, but just might be in the rebuilding plans moving forward. He was enjoying his time and catching lots of attention at New York’s development camp in early July.

He’s still young and has lots of potential in New York’s forward core moving forward. While the Avalanche has Nelson, the Islanders might just be set with Cal Ritchie moving forward.