NY Islanders prospect Calum Ritchie earns double honors in OHL coaches poll

The praise for NY Islanders prospect Calum Ritchie keeps growing as the newest member of the organization’s prospect pool was honored by coaches across the OHL.

The 20-year-old was named the OHL Eastern Conference's Best Stickhandler and Best Playmaker, voted on among the coaches across the league. 

Calum Ritchie honored by OHL coaches

Each coach voted the top three in each category, awarding five points to first, three to second, and one to third, with coaches unable to vote for their own players, making it a maximum of 45 points.

Ritchie earned 35 points in the Best Playmaker category and 34 for Best Stickhandler, edging out 2025 prospect Jake O'Brien of the Brantford Bulldogs in both.

Widely considered one of the league's top prospects, Ritchie finished his final season with the Oshawa Generals, totalling 70 points (15 G, 55 A) in 47 games, leading his team to the OHL Finals, where they were defeated by the London Knights in five games.

Ritchie was acquired by the Islanders in the trade that sent Brock Nelson to the Colorado Avalanche, a deal that may likely backfire on Avs’ GM Chris MacFarland, as Nelson could be moving on during free agency.

Ritchie, who has seven games of NHL experience under his belt, is more than likely to make the Islanders out of training camp. 

Additionally, Matthew Schaefer, the potential first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, was voted the Western Conference’s best skater, receiving 34 points, despite playing only 17 games this season after breaking his clavicle in the World Junior Championship with Canada.