Calum Ritchie, The Jersey Silver Lining
In a tough 6-2 loss, the 20-year-old center stood out with a goal and an assist, showcasing an elite hockey IQ. Stefen Rosner breaks down Ritchie's game film.
NEWARK, NJ — Heading into the New York Islanders’ second preseason game, all eyes were on 20-year-old Calum Ritchie. The centerpiece of the Brock Nelson trade came in looking to prove not only that he’s NHL-ready, but also that his skill set could make an impact—whether this season or in the years ahead.
“I just want to show my smarts and my abilities,” Ritchie said after morning skate.
He backed up those words with a power-play goal and a power-play assist on four shots, with one hit, playing 17:49 minutes in a 6–2 loss.
While the points stand out, especially since they were hard to come by on the Islanders’ side of things, what impressed most were the details in his game—the subtle plays that led to those moments on the scoresheet.
Let’s break it down.