Thursday, June 12, 2025

WHL star Ryder Ritchie commits to BU; Celebrini, Hutson voted to NHL All-Rookie team

 

Terriers have gained a significant addition to its forward corps for the 2025-26 with a commitment from 4.5-star rated (by PuckPreps) Ryder Ritchie, a 6’1”, 185 lb., right wing with WHL Medicine Hat.  The Calgary native, who is a dual Canadian/Swedish citizen, had a 29-32-61 scoring line for the Tigers in 53 regular season games and added nine goals and nine assists in 18 playoff games, including four goals in four Memorial Cup games. 

Ritchie, who will turn 19 this coming August, is the second CHL player to commit to BU this week. Niagara Ice Dogs forward Braidy Wassilyn, a 5-star rated prospect for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, committed for either 2025-26 or 2026-27. 

  

Ritchie, whose father is former NHL forward Byron Ritchie, was a second-round draft pick—#45 overall—by Minnesota in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Reportedly, his decision to commit to BU came with approval of the Wild whose head coach, John Hynes, and assistant GM, Chris Kelleher, were Jay Pandolfo’s teammates on BU’s 1995 national champions. 
Described as a “playmaker and sniper,” Ritchie made a splash in his first WHL season (2022-23), recording 55 points (20G,35A) in 61 games for Prince Albert to win the league’s Rookie of the Year award. Limited by injury to 47 games last season, he had a 19-25-44 line and then helped Canada win gold in the World U18s with four goals and four assists in seven games.    

  

Prior to the 2024-25 season, Hockey Wilderness wrote:
Ritchie may have fallen to the second round of the 2024 draft, but many scouts believe he was a mid-tier first-round talent. His impressive performance in the WHL and strong showing for Team Canada at the Gretzky Cup have solidified his status as one of the top prospects in the WHL.
Ritchie was traded to Medicine Hat last August, joining his World U18 teammate and projected top draft in 2026 Gavin McKenna, who has billeted with the Ritchie family.
Prior to the 2023-24 season, Ritchie helped Canada win gold in the Hlinka Gretzky tournament. He later represented Canada in the World U17 Challenge.
2024 Draft Profiles
►The Hockey News
The best way to describe Ritchie is a dynamic offensive winger who understands where he needs to be on the ice to create chances. The Prince Albert forward has a good shot and can find teammates in open positions while under pressure from the opposition. He thrives with the puck on his stick, as his high skill level and speed make him a nightmare to match up against. 
This season was tough for Ritchie as he battled injuries and only played 47 regular-season games. The good news, however, is he bounced back in the playoffs and showed at this year's U18s that he can thrive when placed beside some of the best players from his age group. With Gold Medals for Canada at both the U18s and Hlinka Gretzky tournament in the past year, Ritchie has shown he doesn't fold under pressure and can step up when facing some of the top prospects available in this year's draft. 
►Elite Prospects:
Ritchie’s both a scoring and playmaking threat, he combines give-and-goes with crossovers and east-west movement, constantly shifting the defence and creating gaps. Just when opponents think they’ve figured him out, he cuts back and finds the trailer. His shot, in particular, is a constant threat. There are zero tells inside his release, transferring his weight suddenly and hiding his blade the whole time. He adapts to tricky passes and instantly fires them, even under pressure.
In an NHL.com prospect spotlight on Ritchie, the Wild’s director of player development, Brad Bombardir, points out:
“Ryder has really good instincts offensively with the puck. He has a quick brain for recognizing passing and shooting lanes. As he continues to improve his pace and power, that should allow him to create some separation coming up the ice, along with creating space for himself below the dots in the offensive zone.”
Ritchie will be a strong candidate for the top six of BU’s offense.
Looking back       

Also from BU Hockey Stats: In the NHL's Lady Byng Award voting, Jack Eichel finished third and Alex Vlasic 17th.

 

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