Ryder Ritchie Scouting Reports

Playing to his identity with Team Canada at the U18 Worlds in Finland.
Competed entire 200ft with good jump / pace up and down the ice.
Showed off his ability to one time pucks from high danger areas in the offensive zone.
When he wasn't producing offense he made sure he was on the right side of the play defensively and pushed back physically.
Young for the draft class. Significant upside. Ability to be deployed, and trusted, in a variety of roles.

Heavy lifting for Ritchie at the end of the WHL season in playoffs versus top seeded Saskatoon but played to his identity - ending the five game series with 3G-4A
All of his TOI came at ES and PP.
Effective zone entries leading the power-play breakout. Comfortable making plays off both flanks in the offensive zone. Equal parts distributor / shooter
Off the rush, when he gets the edge, he takes the puck to the net and displays a quick release
Very good edges. Comes out of his turns with pace. Quick out of the blocks.
Extends plays along the wall. Involved. Competes. Not the high end scoring upside as some others ahead of him in the 23/24 draft class, but more than capable of providing better than secondary scoring and playing with energy.

Ritchie is an interesting prospect. A bit of a throwback. He's not a big body - measured at 5'11 3/4 - 175 lbs. But he's plenty involved. He works up and down the ice. His reads are responsible. Rarely does he get caught deep in the offensive zone. He's above the play when his group doesn't have control of the puck.
Ritchie is the reigning WHL rookie of the year. He got off to a strong start in Prince Albert. He scored 12g-12a in the first twenty-two games - before his stats fell of a bit - 1G - 6A in his next twelve games.
He's willing to drive to the net. Battle in the trenches. Leads by example. Mix of skill and will.
Sidelined with a knee injury in December.