Former NHL Player Nick Ritchie Has Signed A New Professional Contract
Former NHL player Nick Ritchie is returning to professional hockey, as it was reported he has just signed a new one-year deal.
Canadian winger Nick Ritchie, 29, has been transferred within the Slovak Extraliga after having his contract terminated.
Nick Ritchie is joining HC Slovan Bratislava
He will be joining HC Slovan Bratislava from HC Nove Zamky for the rest of the season, Slovan announced Friday.
Ritchie recorded 24 points in 19 games for Nove Zamky, which sits dead last in the 12-team league with just eight wins in 43 games. Slovan, meanwhile, sits fourth.
None of the Ritchie brothers are still with Slovak clubs. Nick's brother, Brett, left HK Nitra in January for Schwenninger Wild Wings of Germany's DEL.
The club president of Nitra said one of the reasons for Brett's departure was the insufficient protection by officiating of the skilled players.
The brothers faced off twice this season in Slovakia, once on Nov. 3 when Nitra took a 5-2 decision against Nove Zamky. Nick also played on a line with former NHLer Jayce Hawryluk, who's moved on to EHC Kloten in Switzerland.
A first-round pick of Anaheim, 10th overall, back in 2014, Ritchie played 481 games for the Ducks, Bruins, Leafs, Coyotes, and Flames, notching 186 points and 483 penalty minutes. He added nine points in 38 playoff games.
Unable to secure a spot with the St. Louis Blues back in 2023, Ritchie signed a new contract with Karpat Oulu in Finland, however, he had his contract terminated after he completed an eight-game suspension for striking an opponent.
He did end up finishing last season in Germany with Iserlohn. With Slovan, this is now Ritchie's fourth European team in two seasons.
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FEVRIER 2 | 155 ANSWERS Former NHL Player Nick Ritchie Has Signed A New Professional Contract Will Nick Ritchie ever return to the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 10.3 % |
| No | 139 | 89.7 % |
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