Flames Re-Sign Big Checking Winger to A One-Year Deal

The Calgary Flames have re-signed 6'4" right-winger Brett Ritchie to a one-year, $900k contract. Ritchie played 32 games with Calgary last season, scoring 4 goals and 8 points, and racking up 24 PIMs. This will mark his second year with the Flames and the 8th NHL season of his career.

Ritchie was drafted in 2011 by the Dallas Stars, 44th overall. In his first full season in the AHL in 2013-2014, Ritchie helped the Texas Stars will the Calder Cup as AHL Champions. After another solid showing a year later, Ritchie was called up to play with the Stars in 2014-2015, where he scored 6 goals and 9 points in 31 games played. Aside from 2016-2017, where he scored 16 goals in 78 games, Ritchie has tread water as a reliable bottom-six winger who makes his presence felt primarily through his physical play. He rarely sees his season PIM totals drop below 35. Brett is also the older brother of Nick Ritchie, the 10th overall selection in 2014.

The signing of Ritchie satisfies a requirement for the Flames ahead of the Seattle Expansin Draft on July 21st, allowing them to meet the minimum number of forwards they have to expose for the Kraken to choose from. If Ritchie remains in Calgary, he will likely be deployed alongside Milan Lucic in a checking role. He plays the type of hockey that Flames' coach Darryl Sutter loves, and will likely be a steady presence on the Flames roster next season.

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Photo credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sport