Ex-NHL 2nd-Rounder Signs In England

10h

Canadian right winger Brett Ritchie, 32, has signed a contract to play the remainder of the 2025-26 season with the Sheffield Steelers, the English-based EIHL club announced recently.

For the former NHLer, this marks his fifth team in five different European countries over the past three years.

“Brett is a big, physical power forward who brings a wealth of experience, and a strong net-front presence to our lineup,” said Steelers head coach Adam Fox. “He plays a hard, north-south game, skates well for his size and isn’t afraid to do the dirty work and is willing to get to the hard areas. Brett adds size, leadership, and a veteran presence that will be huge for our group both on the ice and in the room.”

Sheffield currently sits fourth the 10-team EIHL with 19 wins in 29 games. The team’s roster currently includes long-time British national team captain Robert Dowd and former Buffalo Sabres prospect Cliff Pu.

Originally from Orangeville, Ont., Ritchie played junior hockey for the OHL’s Barrie Colts and Niagra Ice Dogs. He was a second-round draft pick of the Dallas Stars in 2011 and played 391 NHL regular-season games with the Stars, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames and Arizona Coyotes between 2014 and 2023, recording 85 points and 255 penalty minutes. He also played 10 playoff games, scoring two goals – both in 2022 with the Flames.

Canadian right winger Brett Ritchie, 31, has been released from his contract with Slovak Extraliga club HK Nitra and has signed to play the remainder of the current season with the Schwenninger Wild Wings, the German DEL club announced on Wednesday.

thehockeynews.comBrett Ritchie Moves From Slovakia To Germany – Nitra Club President Blames Slovak RefsCanadian right winger Brett Ritchie, 31, has been released from his contract with Slovak Extraliga club HK Nitra and has signed to play the remainder of the current season with the Schwenninger Wild Wings, the German DEL club announced on Wednesday.

Since 2023, Ritchie has played in Belarus for Dinamo Minsk, in Slovakia for HK Nitra, in Germany for the Schwenninger Wild Wings and in Austria for Villacher EV, where he started this season, recording three points in eight ICEHL games.

Internationally, Ritchie represented Canada at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial, the 2011 IIHF U18 World Championship and the 2013 World Junior Championship.

While in Slovakia, Brett played against younger brother Nick Ritchie, who is a former first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks. Nick currently plays in Romania for SC Csíkszereda.

In late September, Brett Ritchie signed with HK Nitra of the Slovak Extraliga. Then in late October, younger brother Nick Ritchie signed with rival club HC Nové Zámky. Two weeks later, in just Nick’s second game of the season, they went head-to-head against each other.

thehockeynews.comVIDEOS: “That Was Cool,” Say Ritchie Brothers After Facing Each Other In Slovak LeagueIn late September, Brett Ritchie signed with HK Nitra of the Slovak Extraliga. Then in late October, younger brother Nick Ritchie signed with rival club HC Nové Zámky. Two weeks later, in just Nick’s second game of the season, they went head-to-head against each other.