The Anaheim Ducks trimmed their roster to 34 Monday morning. One name not amongst those assigned to the AHL affiliate San Diego Gulls was the Ducks 2014 first round pick Nick Ritchie.
The Ducks were able to draft Ritchie 10th overall in 2014 due to the first round pick they acquired from the Ottawa Senators as part of the Bobby Ryan trade. For that reason, Ritchie will be an important part of the Ducks future but he is certainly making a strong push to prove that he is ready to help the team win right now.
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The six foot two, 230 pound 19 year old has played in every preseason game to this point, putting up two assists in three games. Ritchie made a lot of noise during the 2015 OHL playoffs putting up 26 points in 14 games with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.
Other top prospects Shea Theodore, Stefan Noesen and Nic Kerdiles were all assigned to the AHL Monday morning and Ritchie’s “survival” is definitely noteworthy.
While his fate has not yet been decided by any means, it appears that Bob Murray and the Ducks coaching staff want to get another look at Ritchie in preseason action.The Ducks take on the Kings Tuesday night and it could be another chance for Ritchie to prove he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL.
Bob Murray is not one to rush his young prospects and it should be noted that Ritchie is eligible to spend the entire year in the AHL with San Diego as he turns 20 before December 31st of this calendar year.
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