Ritchie adjusting to life as NHL prospect with Avalanche

DENVER -- Calum Ritchie had a quick turnaround following the 2023 NHL Draft.

First, the 18-year-old center prospect was hearing his name called when he was selected by the Colorado Avalanche with the No. 27 pick. Then, he was pitching a product to Sandis Ozolinsh and the Avalanche development staff in a shark tank competition at their development camp.

"We made like a floatable coaster for drinks," Ritchie said. "We didn't have much [for] materials. We just had like, tin foil and some tennis balls and stuff. So, we did our best, and I think we came in like second place. So, it was a lot of fun."

Those kinds of experiences are the new norm for Ritchie (6-foot-2, 185 pounds), who is still trying to adjust to his reality as an NHL prospect.

"It's crazy. It's still kind of sinking in, but it obviously helps kind of being around the facility and the staff," he said. "You're kind of walking through facilities and see, like, (Avalanche president of hockey operations) Joe Sakic and stuff like that. It's kind of surreal. So, I'm just taking it all in, trying to soak it all up."

After having 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 59 games with Oshawa of the Ontario Hockey League while playing through a torn labrum last season, Ritchie's time at development camp last month was more about learning what it takes to be a professional player and rehabbing his injury.

"This summer's obviously been really important for me, and I just have to be kind of patient with my shoulder," he said. "I don't want to rush back too quick, but yeah, I just need to get a lot stronger and be ready to go by the time I have (training) camp start and just compete as hard as I can.

"I've been doing a lot of work for my shoulder, and then also the workouts that I can do. It's been great, and obviously I want to be on the ice and doing all that stuff, but at the same time I'm learning a lot and growing a lot."

Ritchie said he expects to be ready for the start of rookie camp in the fall.

"It's like basically three months until it's fully recovered, and then after that it's just maintenance just to make sure you're ready for full contact," he said. "Four to six months is the timeline. ... So, I'm hoping to be kind of back for rookie camp there, and I'm just going to keep rehabbing it as much as I can and hopefully get there soon."

Ritchie's recovery is the No. 1 priority, and Avalanche director of player development Brian Willsie will have a close eye on him this season in the OHL.

"We live about 40 miles apart back home in Ontario, and I'll be close by Oshawa where he's playing junior," Willsie said. "[I] got to meet him at the draft, so you're just kind of developing a relationship in the player development world. We're building trust and getting to know him."