Former Boston Bruins Player Officially Signs Another Contract
In a surprising turn of events, Nick Ritchie, a former 10th overall NHL draft pick, is embarking on a new chapter in his professional hockey career.
This opportunity arises after a controversial release from his recent team, Karpat, in the Finnish Elite League.
The 28-year-old player's journey took an unexpected twist when his contract with Karpat was terminated following an on-ice altercation that resulted in an eight-game ban. The incident occurred during a late December game against TPS Turku, where Ritchie's actions against Markus Nurmi led to the suspension.
In a heated scuffle, Ritchie not only knocked Nurmi to the ice but also struck him multiple times in the back of the head. The SM-Liiga condemned Ritchie's behavior, citing it as premeditated, unilateral, and excessively violent.
After serving the suspension, Karpat made the decision to part ways with Ritchie, granting him the freedom to explore new opportunities. Ritchie has seized this chance by signing with the Iserlohn Roosters in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in Germany.
Ritchie's tenure at Karpat comprised 10 games, during which he scored a goal and accumulated 5 points. These contributions, however, were overshadowed by the team's decision to release him. A seasoned player, Ritchie was selected as the 10th overall pick by the Anaheim Ducks in 2014 and participated in 481 regular season NHL games with various teams before making his European signing for the 2023-24 season.
The unfolding of Ritchie's career, marked by controversy and redemption, adds a new layer of intrigue to his professional journey.
As seen on bruinslatest
| POLL | ||
Do you think Ritchie will play in the NHL again? | ||
| Yes | 91 | 31 % |
| No | 203 | 69 % |
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