Prince Albert Raiders forward Ryder Ritchie and Prince Albert born Tanner Howe were both selected in the 2024 NHL Draft in back-to-back picks. (left photo: Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders - second photo: Keith Hershmiller/Regina Pats)

By Logan Lehmann

Dreams come true

Raiders forward Ritchie, P.A. born Howe selected back-to-back in 2024 NHL Draft

Jun 29, 2024 | 11:15 AM

A pair of Prince Albert connections at the 2024 NHL Draft were taken with back-to-back selections in the second round on Saturday morning.

Prince Albert Raiders forward Ryder Ritchie was the first to hear his name called at the Sphere in Las Vegas, going 45th overall to the Minnesota Wild. Immediately after, Prince Albert product Tanner Howe was taken with the following pick at 46th overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ritchie’s selection marks the second year in a row that a Raider has been picked in the NHL Draft as defenceman Terrell Goldsmith was selected in the fourth round, 102nd overall to the Arizona Coyotes. Meanwhile, Howe is the first P.A. born player to be selected in the Draft since Braden Schneider was taken 19th overall in 2020 by the New York Rangers.

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This past season in WHL, Ritchie tallied 19 goals and 25 assists in 47 games and in five playoff contests, he added three goals and four assists. The Calgary product also won a gold medal with Canada at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championship in Finland back in the spring and was named the WHL Rookie of the Year in 2023.

Howe served as the captain of the Regina Pats this past season and led the team in scoring with 28 goals and 49 assists in 68 games.

As expected, Boston University standout Macklin Celebrini was selected first overall by the San Jose Sharks during day one of the Draft on Friday, while Artyom Levshunov went second overall to the Chicago Blackhawks and Beckett Sennecke was picked third overall by the Anaheim Ducks.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com