All the talk about the Minnesota Wild’s 2024 draft focused on Zeeb Buium (12th overall) and Aron Kiviharju. Both players are smooth-skating defensemen and draft steals for the Wild. However, the Wild also got another steal when they took Prince Albert’s Ryder Ritchie in the second round.

Ritchie is the only forward Minnesota took in this draft class,  but it got a stud with the 45th pick who has all the tools to be a modern-day NHL star. He’ll need to add a little strength and weight to his 6’0” frame. However, he’s skilled with the puck and has a lethal shot.

The Western Hockey League (WHL) named Ritchie was named the Rookie of the Year in 2022-23 after he recorded 20 goals and 35 assists in 61 games. The Calgary native then put the league on notice at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup with nine points in five games.

However, Ritchie had a disappointing sophomore season in the WHL because he missed 14 games due to injury, and it took him a bit to get back up to speed. With just 44 points in 47 games, Ritchie was just under a point per game. Still, he almost matched his goal total in 14 fewer games.

Prince Albert was not one of the top teams in the WHL, but they added a ton of talent through the WHL Draft. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable to hope Ritchie hits triple digits next season.

Ritchie has all the tools to be an effective top-six winger in the NHL. His puckhandling and quick feet complement his shot, and he’s a strong skater. He also has the attitude and tenacity to excel at the next level. The Wild should be excited about his offensive future.

“Ritchie can take over shifts with his high energy and workhorse attitude,” Steven Ellis wrote at the Daily Faceoff. “And his shot – good luck blocking that.”

“I think I’m an offensive forward,” Ritchie said at the draft. “I think I can create a lot of offense for myself and my teammates. I think I have a lot of skill, a good hockey IQ, and I have a high competitor. I’m a competitor, and I love to win, so can’t wait to bring that.”

“Ritchie’s both a scoring and playmaking threat,” his Elite Prospects profile reads. “He combines give-and-goes with crossovers and east-west movement, constantly shifting the defense and creating gaps. Just when opponents think they’ve figured him out, he cuts back and finds the trailer.

“His shot, in particular, is a constant threat. There are zero tells inside his release, transferring his weight suddenly and hiding his blade the whole time. He adapts to tricky passes and instantly fires them, even under pressure.”

Like many young players, Ritchie is plagued by a lack of consistency. While his high-end skill is enticing, he must show it more consistently during his third year in the WHL.

“As an offensive winger who didn’t score a ton in junior this year, Ritchie isn’t likely to be a super early draft pick,” Logan Horn wrote at The Hockey Writers. “When the WHL season began, it looked like Ritchie would have a real chance to go in the top-16, but that won’t happen. I do think his offensive game, and growth spurt, will make him a first-rounder, though I think he’s most likely going to be a late first type of guy, probably in the 24-32 range.”

Below is a collection of all the draft rankings for Ritchie:

• TSN/Bob McKenzie: 21st
• Smaht Scouting: 26th
• NHL CS (NA Skaters): 16th
• THW/Baracchini: 27th
• THW/Forbes: 18th
• THW/Horn: 23rd
• 2024 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #22 by Elite Prospects
• 2024 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #37 by ISS Hockey
• 2024 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #31 by FCHockey
• 2024 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #32 by TSN/Craig Button
• 2024 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #26 by McKeen’s Hockey
• 2024 NHL Entry Draft: Ranked #19 by NHL Central Scouting

The Wild got him with the 45th overall pick.

The Ritchie pick reminded me a lot of the Hunter Haight pick in 2022. A second-round forward who has all the skill and offensive potential in the world but needs to work on the defensive side of the game to be a complete player.

While Ritchie is the only forward in this class and is not getting all the headlines, he’s not a prospect you should overlook.

All stats and data via Elite Prospects and HockeyDB unless otherwise noted.