Ryder Ritchie. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By paNOW Staff

heading east

Ryder Ritchie named to Top Prospects Game

Dec 19, 2023 | 3:56 PM

Prince Albert Raiders forward Ryder Ritchie is one step closer to his goal of being a first round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

The 2006-born player has been named to the 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects game scheduled next month.

“It felt good to find out,” Ritchie said. “It was one of my goals coming into this season to be a part of the top prospects game, and it’s definitely an honour. I can’t wait to be able to represent myself and represent the Prince Albert Raiders.”

The sophomore winger has 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 34 regular season games. Despite that, he still expects more out of himself.

“It’s been an up and down year,” he said. “I feel like I started off pretty well and then I had that little stretch there (where it wasn’t so well). I think I’ve still been creating and getting a lot of chances, they just haven’t been going in the net. The numbers aren’t there right now, but if I continue playing harder all of that will come. I’m just looking forward to re-energizing at home and coming back out and having a massive second half.”

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The B.C.-born product is projected to be drafted in the first round of the draft all season long, hovering between the top 10 and top 20 players.

“I’m just trying to develop all the parts of my game, and I’ve been focusing on my two way game and getting better in my own end, but also trying to improve the other parts of my game like my speed and shot. I just want to make my overall game better so I can be that first round draft pick.”

His said he’ll take advantage of displaying his talents to NHL scouts at the top prospects game, but a commitment to ‘being the hardest worker and biggest competitor’ will remain for the rest of the season as well.

The top prospects game takes place Jan. 24 in Moncton, N.B.

The Raiders are back in action on Dec. 27 in Saskatoon when they take on the Blades.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

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