Ex-Boston Bruin enforcer Nick Ritchie career hits a new low after signing a new contract
Former Boston Bruins winger Nick Ritchie hasn't put on a uniform in the NHL, since 2022-2023.
He's been touring Europe, playing in the SM-Liiga, and recently the DEL in Germany with the Iserlohn Roosters(DEL), and Karpat in Finland.
However, it seems he may never get another call to rejoin the NHL, or even the AHL as this season he's hit another country in Europe.
He's signed with HC Nove Zamky in Slovakia and will play the 2024-2025 season for one year with the European Club.
The last time Ritchie suited up in the NHL was with the Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes in 2022-2023.
He'd tally 21 points( 9 G, 12 A) in 58 games, and ironically be dealt to the Calgary Flames, for his brother Brett Ritchie. He wouldn't score more than 5 points in 16 games for Calgary.
He wouldn't be offered a contract from Calgary and would instead have to settle for a PTO from the St. Louis Blues of which he wouldn't see a contract offer and would have to settle for Europe if he couldn't find work in the AHL.
Ritchie, who was the 10th overall pick in 2014 opted instead to sign in Finland with Karpat, where he'd woefully score 1 point, with 70 PIMs, and a -7 rating.
Karpat and Ritchie would settle on a mutual contract termination, which led to him playing in the DEL with the Iserlohn Rooster, with 2 points, and another dismal outing of -4 in eight games.
He went unsigned and is now landing in Slovakia to play in a less competitive territory with HC Nove Zamky.
He'll join Shawn Lalonde, as the only other player with NHL experience playing one game with the Blackhawks in 2012-2013.
The former Bruins winger isn't likely to return to the NHL given how his European tour has gone.
He has played 481 games in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Calgary Flames in 8 seasons scoring 186 points( 84 G, 102 A).
It is unfortunate to witness the death of another person's hopes and dreams, and this is another case with Ritchie being on the tail end of what could be his professional career in North America.
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