CALUM RITCHIE

2nd overall pick, from just a season ago, Calum Ritchie had a season solidifying his first round NHL draft potential. In his second OHL season, Ritchie was trusted by his teammates and coaching staff to lead the team this season, both on and off the ice. Ritchie was given an ‘A’ at the start of the season, and was expected to continue finding his voice in the room.

On the ice, Ritchie improved on his already great rookie numbers from a year ago. At the time of publication, he’s appeared in 58 games this season scoring 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points – new career highs in all three categories. Amongst the team leaders in points, Ritchie is expected to go early in the 2023 NHL Draft and continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the OHL.

The first of Oshawa’s two first-round picks from the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Beckett Sennecke lived up to the hype this season. Taken 8th overall last year, Sennecke joined the Generals as a gifted offensive addition to the roster. In his first season in the OHL, Sennecke has proven on more than one occasion that he can deke through an entire roster by himself, before driving to the net for a red-light special.

Flashes of this greatness have almost become expected by the GensNation faithful. By the numbers, Sennecke has been the best 16-year-old in the OHL this season, leading everyone his age in points with 48 points. The only rookie ahead of him is 15-year-old exceptional status forward Michael Misa, with 50 points. Sennecke has showcased both his playmaking and goal scoring abilities, torching opponents with 16 goals and 32 assists – a reminder again that he’s just 16 years old.

With sights set on the years ahead, it’s clear that Oshawa’s success will follow the success of Sennecke, wherever he will take them.

Just six picks later, the Generals struck gold once again with defenceman Ben Danford, from the Quinte Red Devils. The Madoc, Ont., native spent the first half of his season, learning and adapting to the play style of then captain, Lleyton Moore. Following the trade that saw Moore land in Kitchener, many fans were worried the blueline would fall apart without their power play quarter back in Moore. The transition was seamless. Danford took the extra ice time and responsibility in stride, and alongside new teammate Luca D’Amato, the two continued to lead the Generals’ power play to be the league’s best.

In 55 games with the Generals, Danford has scored two goals and added 17 assists for 19 points. What’s more impressive is his plus/minus rating of positive five, as a 16-year-old on a struggling team. Fans have little to worry about on the blueline for as long as Danford continues to patrol the d-zone.

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THE OSHAWA GENERALS HOCKEY CLUB, PRESENTED BY OSHAWA POWER AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Arnts, Blue Bird Storage, Canadian Tire, Coca-Cola, Desjardins, Dodd and Soutor, Giant Creative, Oshawa Power, Pizza Pizza, Planet Fitness, Professional Dry Cleaners, Rodman’s Heating & Air Conditioning and Staffing Connections have teamed up for the Adopt-A-School program!

This program gives local businesses the chance to give back to the community by purchasing Generals season tickets and donating them to elementary schools throughout Durham Region. The tickets are intended to reward students that excel in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

MATT BEACHIN

Call 905-433-0900 Ext. 2233 or Email mbeachin@oshawagenerals.com