Top Colorado Avalanche Prospect Calum Ritchie Signs First Deal

The Colorado Avalanche have officially added an elite offensive weapon to the ranks, signing 19-year-old first-round pick (27th overall, 2023 NHL Draft) Calum Ritchie.

We've signed Calum Ritchie to a three-year entry-level contract. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/1kTcA94Yr7
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) July 8, 2024

It's a three-year, entry-level contract for the Avs top prospect, with a $950,000 cap hit, and an AAV of $1.19M.

The 6'2", 190-pounder had a breakout year in his post-draft season this past year, racking up 80 points in 50 games with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL (28 goals, 52 assists). His 1.60 points per game was sixth in the league. He added another 30 points in 21 playoff games.

Ritchie has shown massive improvements in each of his three seasons in junior, jumping from 45 points to 59 points from '22 to '23, then making a huge 21-point jump this past year.

The big center is a strong, smooth skater, and a tremendous playmaker, making those around him better, as evidenced by this pretty play earlier this year.

Calum Ritchie continues to show why the Avalanche were reluctant to move him in any sort of deal. pic.twitter.com/pREnSnV0eE
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) March 9, 2024

He also shows great skill in the faceoff circle and as a two-way player. He finished this past year in Oshawa with a stunning plus/minus of +45 in 50 games.

Ritchie doesn't turn 20 until January 21, 2025, which means that the Avs must either keep him on the NHL roster to start the season and evaluate him for 10 games, before deciding to keep him (and burning a year of the 3-year ELC) or re-assigning him to the Oshawa Generals back in junior. He is not eligible to join their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, until that 20th birthday.