Calum Ritchie making his case to make the NY Islanders roster to start season

Callum Ritchie wasted no time turning heads in his New York Islanders preseason debut, notching a goal and an assist while showing flashes of the skill set that made him one of the team’s top prospects. Beyond the box score, the 20-year-old center demonstrated poise and hockey IQ that could force the Islanders’ brass into difficult roster decisions in the coming weeks.

Making His Case Early

Ritchie logged 17:50 of ice time against the Devils, a workload that reflected the coaching staff’s willingness to test him against established NHL veterans like Nico Hischier. Patrick Roy praised his effort, noting that he “was doing a lot of good things and it’s refreshing to see a young guy playing that way.” For a player looking to prove he belongs, that kind of endorsement carries weight.

"I would like to possess the puck a bit more, but in the D-zone I thought I was pretty decent," said Ritchie after the game. "Kept things to the outside and was pretty aggressive at times."

Special Teams Impact

Perhaps the most encouraging sign was Ritchie’s presence on the power play. His first Islanders goal came on a 5-on-3, where he ripped a clean shot blocker-side. Later, he showcased vision by threading a pass to Emil Heineman for a one-timer that tied the game. Power-play trust is not handed out lightly to rookies — and it suggests Roy is willing to see if Ritchie can fill an immediate role.

Roster Reality Check

Still, the Islanders’ forward group is crowded, and Ritchie faces stiff competition from veterans and other prospects fighting for NHL ice time. His ability to play a strong two-way game, win faceoffs, and drive play could set him apart, especially if injuries or lineup shuffles open opportunities. "It was fun to see because he was playing a lot against Hischer, & I thought he did well," said Rot. "I never felt like he was in trouble, except for one shift where we had two broken sticks [...] I thought that line did well against their top line." If he continues to produce at this pace, Ritchie won’t just be penciled in for Bridgeport — he may leave the Isles no choice but to keep him around for opening night.