"There was plenty of praise for Cal Ritchie's game when the NY Islanders acquired the player from the Colorado Avalanche for Brock Nelson at last year's trade deadline. Some have compared him to Patrice Bergeron, and while the brakes need to be pumped on that comparison, Ritchie's game is beginning to round out with each passing game. Since joining the team for his first game in blue and orange on Halloween after impressing in his first three games in Bridgeport, the 20-year-old rookie is here to stay."
"Ritchie has had an impact in the defensive zone since day one. In 11 games this year, he has been on the ice for just one goal against while playing mostly fourth-line minutes. The closest Islanders forward to that mark to play at least 11 games is Anthony Duclair, who has been on the ice for seven even-strength goals in 21 games."
""The confidence grow," Casey Cizikas said on what he's seen from Ritchie over the last few games. "It wasn't easy at the start. The last few games, we got a little more ice time, and he didn't let that get to him. He stayed with his game. He stayed with what he knows. His hockey. You can see him flourish right now, and it's fun to play alongside him and Shabby.""
Calum Ritchie, a 20-year-old acquired from the Colorado Avalanche for Brock Nelson, joined the Islanders after strong play in Bridgeport and debuted on Halloween. He has shown immediate defensive value, being on the ice for just one goal against in 11 games while playing mostly fourth-line minutes. After going pointless through his first nine NHL contests, he scored in back-to-back games and added an assist, signaling growing offensive confidence. Teammates note increased poise and consistency when given more ice time. Ritchie appears to have settled into a complementary, non-prototypical fourth-line role alongside veteran linemates.
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