Cal Ritchie was recalled from the Bridgeport Islanders on Friday.
It marks the 20-year-old’s first recall with the Islanders. Ritchie played seven games for the Colorado Avalanche last season. Ritchie has a point in all three games (1G, 2A) he's played for Bridgeport this season. He scored in his American Hockey League (AHL) debut on Oct. 17.
“I’m so excited," Ritchie said. "I've been trying to work on all the things I need to get back to this level. At the NHL level, it’s a dream. I’m really excited to play for the Islanders tonight and put on that jersey for the first time in a regular season game.”
Between his previous NHL game on Oct. 22, 2024 against the Seattle Kraken and Friday's opportunity, Ritchie has grown a lot as a player. He put up 70 points (15G, 55A) for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), including a lengthy playoff drought where he recorded 25 points (9G, 16A) in 21 games. At Islanders Training Camp, Ritchie recorded two points (1G, 1A) in four preseason appearances.
"Training camp was really good, you learn so much from everyone," Ritchie said. "It was really intense. Learned a lot. Obviously in preseason, last year, going back to Oshawa, give them a lot of credit too. Learning a lot of things there and a long playoff run. So coming back here, feeling pretty confident in my abilities.”
As far as Head Coach Patrick Roy's expectations go, he's hoping to see Ritchie learn, take advantage of the opportunity and enjoy the process.
"I'm excited to see him play and see where he is," Roy said. "I'm not trying to put expectations on him other than to enjoy the game. It's his first NHL game with us, so I'd like it for him to be a great experience for him as well."
