When Jason Giambi reported to Yankees Spring Training in 2002, he arrived at the Yankees complex in Tampa with an Oakland A’s bag. After coming over from the Athletics to the Yankees as a free agent, Giambi had to carry his gear in something but the sight of him walking into Legends Field (now George Steinbrenner Field) carrying the A’s bag was a bit awkward.
That brings us to the start of Islanders Development Camp Monday at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
While I was chatting with forward Calum Ritchie, acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Brock Nelson trade this past season, I noticed a small Avalanche bag with some tape and other items on a shelf in his locker. After he talked about the excitement of skating in an Islanders jersey for the first time, I told him that he needed to get a new bag.
“Yeah seriously,” said Ritchie as he looked back at the bag. “I don’t know why that’s out there. I didn’t even realize it was sitting there. I have to get a new one for sure.”
The Islanders will certainly be more than happy to furnish Ritchie with a new bag and plenty of other Islanders gear, especially if he makes the Islanders’ opening night roster when the 2025-26 season gets underway in October. It was easy to see that the 20-year-old native of Brampton, Ontario looked like a man among boys during the first group’s practice on Monday morning, skating with younger prospects, many of whom are 18 and 19 years old.
It was a day he’s been waiting for since the trade deadline deal.
“It’s been awesome,” said Ritchie of the start of development camp. “I’ve been looking forward to this moment every since I got traded to come in here, get to skate and meet everyone in the organization so it’s been good.”
Ritchie, selected in the first round (27th overall) by the Avalanche in the 2023 NHL Draft, recorded 15 goals and 55 assists for 70 points in 47 games this past season for Oshawa in the Ontario Hockey League. He added a goal and an assist in five games for Canada in the World Junior Championships and now brings his skill set to Long Island.
The 6’2” 190-pound right-handed shot is now part of an impressive Islanders prospect pool, one that was bolstered this past weekend with nine draft picks including three first-round selections in defenseman Matthew Schaefer (1st overall), defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson (17th overall) and forward Victor Eklund (18th overall).
“I just saw our draft and I see all the young guys that are up and coming,” said Ritchie. I’m really excited about the opportunity. I was on the ice with Eklund and Aitcheson. There are so many talented players out there. I thought they were great and it’s fun to be on the ice with these guys.”
The Islanders development camp continues on Tuesday with another practice and then the prospects are expected to attend the Mets vs Brewers game Tuesday night at Citi Field. On Wednesday, the Islanders prospects will square off in a Blue vs White Scrimmage before the camp ends with a practice on Thursday.
And then, Ritchie and the other prospects will prepare for training camp in September with the hopes of competing for an NHL job.
“I think everyone is really excited to get this going,” said Ritchie.
And the Islanders fans in attendance at camp are excited about the infusion of youth into the organization. Calum Ritchie is a big part of that.