Blues release former first-round pick from professional tryout contract

As teams continue to prepare for the start of the 2023-24 season, which is less than two weeks away, rosters are beginning to be trimmed and that was the case with the St. Louis Blues on Friday afternoon.

The St. Louis Blues announced that they've made 14 cuts from their training camp roster today, which included releasing former first-round pick Nick Ritchie from his professional tryout contract (PTO).


Ritchie, 27, appeared in three preseason games for the St. Louis Blues, tallying one assist, six shots on goal and one fight, which he ended up receiving a game misconduct for after not having his fight strap tied down.



The Orangeville, Ontario native has spent the last eight seasons in the National Hockey League after being a first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks back in 2014. Ritchie has played for the Ducks, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames.

It's unclear what may come next for Nick Ritchie. He had an alright showing with the St. Louis Blues during training camp and preseason games and is capable of being a full-time NHLer, likely in a bottom-six role. It'll be interesting to watch over the next few days to a week to see if another team swoops in to sign the now unrestricted free agent forward.