2025 IIHF World Junior Championship (12/26-1/5)

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Ritchie with a good backcheck, then a nifty behind the back self pass to start a breakout.

Meanwhile, future Avs Schaefer walloped someone in the corner

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Ritchie makes a lot of no-look, backhand passes or chip plays into space that would likely result in turnovers at the NHL level.

At this level, they come off and he looks dominant.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Ritchie makes a lot of no-look, backhand passes or chip plays into space that would likely result in turnovers at the NHL level.

At this level, they come off and he looks dominant.

He’s gotta learn when to use those types of plays, if you’re making the smart and quick play 80-90% of the time, the odd no look play works since they’re not expecting it

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Ritchie strong on the puck protection. Ass to defender, long stick and reach. It’s tough to get the puck off him when he’s controlling it like that.

I don’t even want to use the comparison, but he plays like a young Ryan Johansen before RyJo’s game fell off a cliff. Not always engaged, great puck protection, pass first mentality who can put the puck on a dime, makes high risk plays. Big, right handed shot who isn’t a super fast player. Reminds me a lot of young RyJo.

 

[missionAvs]

Trade Ritchie for McKenna...... please?

Ritchie strong on the puck protection. Ass to defender, long stick and reach. It’s tough to get the puck off him when he’s controlling it like that.

I don’t even want to use the comparison, but he plays like a young Ryan Johansen before RyJo’s game fell off a cliff. Not always engaged, great puck protection, pass first mentality who can put the puck on a dime, makes high risk plays. Big, right handed shot who isn’t a super fast player. Reminds me a lot of young RyJo.

Avs always get their guy. New-RyJo is ours.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Ritchie strong on the puck protection. Ass to defender, long stick and reach. It’s tough to get the puck off him when he’s controlling it like that.

I don’t even want to use the comparison, but he plays like a young Ryan Johansen before RyJo’s game fell off a cliff. Not always engaged, great puck protection, pass first mentality who can put the puck on a dime, makes high risk plays. Big, right handed shot who isn’t a super fast player. Reminds me a lot of young RyJo.

That’s a pretty good comparison, young RyJo could be quite physical though, don’t see Ritchie necessarily having that mind set

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

I really like what I’m seeing from Schaefer, kids so assertive already

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Molendyk is a smooth, effortless skater.

Pivots forward to backwards, changes of direction, can accelerate from a stopped position. All around excellent skater.

Preds have a good one with him.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Bonk has been my least favourite player for Canada. No idea why he’s the QB on PP1.

His passing and puck handling has been awful. Looks like Givani Smith taking wrist shot passes at teammates. Walks the line quite poor. Slow as f*** in his decision making.

Really like Gibson. Reminds me of a Chris Tanev type. Extremely safe, physical, calm, blocks everything and wins every battle. Will never be a “wow” player but should be an NHLer for a long time with how mature his game is.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Bonk has been my least favourite player for Canada. No idea why he’s the QB on PP1.

His passing and puck handling has been awful. Looks like Givani Smith taking wrist shot passes at teammates. Walks the line quite poor. Slow as f*** in his decision making.

Really like Gibson. Reminds me of a Chris Tanev type. Extremely safe, physical, calm, blocks everything and wins every battle. Will never be a “wow” player but should be an NHLer for a long time with how mature his game is.

I was about to comment on Bonk, no idea why Schaefer or Dickinson aren’t on PP1

 

[Tralfamadore]

That’s a pretty good comparison, young RyJo could be quite physical though, don’t see Ritchie necessarily having that mind set

Ritchie has a much more efficient stride than RyJo ever had as well.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Ritchie strong on the puck protection. Ass to defender, long stick and reach. It’s tough to get the puck off him when he’s controlling it like that.

I don’t even want to use the comparison, but he plays like a young Ryan Johansen before RyJo’s game fell off a cliff. Not always engaged, great puck protection, pass first mentality who can put the puck on a dime, makes high risk plays. Big, right handed shot who isn’t a super fast player. Reminds me a lot of young RyJo.

Actually I know this is a little lofty, but he's reminding me of the way Kopitar plays in that way. Quiet, responsible, difficult to get off the puck, in the right places.. But as you say, he's got some Jr flash with the no look stuff lol.

Kinda interesting, how he goes from playing a real solid two way game to trying a hail Mary lol.

It also will be interesting to see if he can hold guys off like that in the NHL as he matures more. Still looks like a baby.

 

[PAZ]

Ritchie strong on the puck protection. Ass to defender, long stick and reach. It’s tough to get the puck off him when he’s controlling it like that.

I don’t even want to use the comparison, but he plays like a young Ryan Johansen before RyJo’s game fell off a cliff. Not always engaged, great puck protection, pass first mentality who can put the puck on a dime, makes high risk plays. Big, right handed shot who isn’t a super fast player. Reminds me a lot of young RyJo.

Yup, a pass first RyJo which I would not complain about at all.

But so far I haven't really seen Ritchie increase his compete level like RyJo did when he was young/in a contract year.

 

[CobraAcesS]

This reminds me of the Avs when they are all over the other team but can't quite finish the play when the puck goes towards the net lol.

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Finnish PP looks similar to the Avs PP, very stagnant and reliant on high risk passes making their way through

 

[Bender]

Getting drafted 1st 3rd overall by the senators can take a nasty toll...

 

[Muffin]

McKenna looks legit.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I did not know John Denver was that big of a hit in Canada.

Nice goal!!! Price was incredible there.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Ritchie strong on the puck protection. Ass to defender, long stick and reach. It’s tough to get the puck off him when he’s controlling it like that.

I don’t even want to use the comparison, but he plays like a young Ryan Johansen before RyJo’s game fell off a cliff. Not always engaged, great puck protection, pass first mentality who can put the puck on a dime, makes high risk plays. Big, right handed shot who isn’t a super fast player. Reminds me a lot of young RyJo.

Can you stop with the young Ryjo comparisons? I only have so many pairs of pants to change into.

 

[the_fan]

Is Canada really winning when Ritchie doesn’t have a point? Or does that only applies to Makar?

 

[Tralfamadore]

Getting drafted 1st overall by the senators can take a nasty toll...

View attachment 951698

He went 3rd overall.

Is Canada really winning when Ritchie doesn’t have a point? Or does that only applies to Makar?

Ritchie has been good but a few of his teammates have looked much better.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

Only got to snag Canada v Finland today.

Anyone know if there are any replays? I was looking on NHLN and it looks like they've only got replays of NHL Tonight and On the Fly scheduled to roll on the night shifts all week. Any chance these get uploaded to YouTube or will that be just limited to highlights?

 

[AvsMakar08]

Is Canada really winning when Ritchie doesn’t have a point? Or does that only applies to Makar?

Ritchie seems to prefer to play a defensive good game. He does not seem to want to surrender odd rushes against.

 

[CobraAcesS]

He went 3rd overall.



Ritchie has been good but a few of his teammates have looked much better.

Yeah, B/C+ game, on the ice for two goals for, but didn't drive the play enough for a 1C in an international tournament.

 

[Bender]

Bonk has been my least favourite player for Canada. No idea why he’s the QB on PP1.

His passing and puck handling has been awful. Looks like Givani Smith taking wrist shot passes at teammates. Walks the line quite poor. Slow as f*** in his decision making.

Really like Gibson. Reminds me of a Chris Tanev type. Extremely safe, physical, calm, blocks everything and wins every battle. Will never be a “wow” player but should be an NHLer for a long time with how mature his game is.

Agree with you on Bonk.

Yeah I liked Gibson prior to the 2023 draft - compared him to John Marino.

Post in thread '2023 NHL Draft' Prospect Info: - 2023 NHL Draft