Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Two NHL prospects headed back to the CHL with very valuable experience.
Every year there are a couple of CHL players who beat the odds and make their NHL clubs out of training camp. Calum Ritchie of the Colorado Avalanche and Jett Luchanko of the Philadelphia Flyers beat the odds to make their NHL clubs out of training camp. While neither of them stuck with their teams, both made an imprint in their time in the NHL.
Ritchie came into training camp expected to challenge for an extended look. The 2023 first-round pick came off an incredibly strong year with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals, where he helped lead them to the OHL final as arguably the league’s best player.
When the Avalanche had a few injuries in camp, Ritchie looked like he belonged, so it made sense to start him in the NHL.
As for Luchanko, the path wasn’t as clear for him after being drafted 13th overall in 2024. He had to earn every little bit of his opportunity.
There was no reason for the Flyers to rush their most recent first-rounder. After a solid season with the Guelph Storm last year, Luchanko’s stock skyrocketed as the year continued. His play in Flyers training camp drew rave reviews for his work ethic, skill and persistence. Luchanko exceeded all expectations, which made giving him a look in the regular season worthwhile.
Ultimately, Ritchie played seven NHL games, and Luchanko played in four. Ritchie scored his first NHL goal, but that was the only point between the two of them.
Playing in the AHL full-time is not an option for Ritchie and Luchanko because of the CHL-NHL transfer agreement, which prevents CHL-drafted players from going to the AHL until their age-20 season. The Avalanche and Flyers were forced to send their highly touted prospects back to junior hockey.
That said, the decisions made sense for both NHL squads. It was also a major boost for their junior clubs as they each got one of their best players back for the season. There is a very good chance that we will see both of them mentioned among the OHL’s best players at the end of the campaign.
Both showed some really promising things in their brief NHL stints.
Ritchie’s first NHL goal was an excellent read that saw him all alone at the net front, where he buried the puck. His playmaking flashed occasionally with some excellent passes throughout his seven-game stint.
Ritchie was originally given top six minutes alongside Casey Mittelstadt, but his minutes and role diminished as the year progressed. He seemed to struggle at times with the pace of the game. His play in the defensive end was also a bit of a concern, looking a bit lost at times. In his final game, Ritchie played just over seven minutes. The writing was on the wall.
Luchanko was always in a tougher spot when it came to playing time. Coach John Tortorella has been vocal about how much he liked having Luchanko around and the way he handled himself while in the NHL. The Flyers already had super prospect Matvei Michkov joining the squad, but Luchanko impressed, even with all of the attention the Russian took up.
It was the fact that Luchanko went out onto the ice for every shift as if it were his last. He was often outmuscled, or he didn’t quite have the skill to keep up with NHLers, but he was never outworked. With that said, being an 18-year-old in the NHL is usually reserved for the most elite of the elite. Luchanko showed he’s very good but wasn’t quite ready for the NHL.
This shouldn’t be considered a failure for either player. This experience in the NHL should be looked at as an opportunity for growth.
While both of them looked like they could hang in the NHL, the Avalanche and Flyers want them to be players who can be difference-makers. It wasn’t that they weren’t one of the 12 best forwards for their respective teams, but it was that they weren’t ready to play top-six roles full-time as their clubs hoped they would be down the line.
This was about long-term over short-term gains. Ritchie and Luchanko could have easily found roles on the fourth line and done what they could to hold their heads above water. That’s not best for their long-term development, though. Going back to the OHL, playing big minutes, dominating game-in and game-out, and rounding out their game.
Upon arrival back with their OHL clubs this past weekend, they were immediately inserted into the lineup. They come back to different situations, though.
Ritchie returned to an Oshawa team that looks loaded and ready to make a deep run once again with Ritchie leading the way. Luchanko, on the other hand, is rejoining a Guelph team that sits second last in the league. There is a high likelihood that Luchanko is moved to a contender, something that the Flyers wouldn’t mind seeing happen.
Luchanko’s first game back in the OHL was rough for Guelph, losing 10-1 as Luchanko finished with an assist on the lone goal. Ritchie’s first weekend back in junior hockey went a bit better as his team won their first game 7-2, with Ritchie collecting two assists and then topping it in Game 2 by grabbing three assists in a 7-5 win for five points in two games.
Fans of the Avs and Flyers will pay close attention to their young studs playing in the OHL, hoping to see them in the NHL lineup next season with more permanent roles. Ritchie and Luchanko may be a bit disappointed about being sent back to the OHL, but it will only make them better in the long run. If it lights a fire under them, even better.
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