Last season, Canadian Brett Ritchie laced up his skates for EC iDM Heat Pumps VSV. Now the 32-year-old has found a new employer.
For Ritchie, Villacher SV was the fourth stop outside North America after Dinamo Minsk, HK Nitra and Schwenninger Wild Wings. On December 10th, Ritchie, who also played 391 NHL games in his career, signed with Drau.
Far behind expectations
A lot was expected from the Eagles, as Ritchie is considered an offensively talented power forward. But at VSV he was able to show little of the qualities that made him a 2nd round pick in 2011. He also knew how to impress in the American Hockey League, but little worked in the VSV uniform.
The striker had one goal and three assists in eight appearances. Ritchie scored his only ICE goal against the reigning champions from Graz. Just a month after moving to the Adlerhorst, he left again for the EIHL, where he finished the season with the Sheffield Steelers. There he scored twelve goals in 24 games and had 22 points.
Comeback in Slovakia
The Canadian already played parts of the 2024/25 season in the Slovakian league and is now returning to it. Ritchie will storm for Vlci Zilina in the 2026/27 season. Former Salzburg striker Brant Harris is also under contract there.
Image: VSV/STEFAN
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