Kingston Frontenacs Game Day February 14, 2020

by Marcus Boutilier
@bouthockey ohlnetwork.ca
As with most junior teams, it is not uncommon
for a General Manager to make some astute
additions to his squad as the season progresses
and not always by trade. Adding a player that
contributes to the team while not having to lose
any assets is always an ideal situation. When
Frontenacs GM Darren Keily signed Ethan
Ritchie off waivers from Erie on Oct 4 earlier this
season, he was able to do just that.
The Oakville, ON native, originally taken 81st
overall at the 2018 OHL Priority Selection by Erie
Otters officially signed a player agreement with
Kingston last Oct 17 setting up the potential for
a player who can play for multiple seasons on
Kingston’s blueline.
Not afraid to skate the puck out of danger, the
shifty defenceman uses his speed to join the rush
and help get the puck out of Kingston’s zone.
Head coach Kurtis Foster likes what he has seen
from the rookie: “He moves the puck well under
pressure and is not afraid to make a play and
while he’s always got stuff to work on defensively
as any younger D has, we’re happy with his play.”
Ritchie played in the prestigious Quebec
International Peewee tournament in 2014-15
before playing his minor hockey for the Oakville
Rangers system in 2016, joining up with current
Frontenacs defencemen Jake Murray. After a
season of bantam with the Oakville Rangers
AAA program, he patrolled the blueline for the
Rangers Minor Midget AAA squad during the
2017-18 season where he had nine goals and
15 assists for 24 points and 33 penalty minutes
in 34 regular-season games and appeared at the
OHL Cup registering an assist in the five games.
After being selected by the Otters in ‘18, the
6 foot, 205-pound rearguard spent the 2018-19
season in the OJHL with the Georgetown Raiders
appearing in 45 games while adding eight points
from the blueline.
To start the 2019-20 season and before being
signed by Kingston last Oct, he had appeared in
15 games for Georgetown adding two goals and
an assist. He made his Frontenacs debut on Oct
25 against Sarnia earning an assist in his first
OHL game as Lucas Rowe tipped a point shot
from the rookie. He earned his second point in
his second game vs Guelph on Nov 9 as well.
Ritchie has a great shot, and on Jan 31 vs Soo
he would find himself in alone on the Greyhound
goal after a nice pass from Zayde Wisdom and
beat the goalie for his first OHL goal. Ritchie said
“It was like a dream and I kind of blacked out. It’s
one of those moments that just happens.”
Said GM Darren Keily at the time of signing:
“Ethan is a gritty defenceman that is capable of
moving the puck. We are excited to add him to
our team and believe he will contribute for the
next three or four seasons.” It seems to have
been a great signing for both player and team
so far. KF
OFFICIAL GAME DAY MAGAZINE, VOLUME 47, ISSUE 27
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