SAN JOSE, Caif. — A year ago, the Islanders prospect pool was widely rated as among the worst in hockey.
It’s been building in a good direction for some time now, with the team using its first-round pick on Cole Eiserman while Quinn Finley and Danny Nelson take positive steps at their respective college programs.
But Calum Ritchie, the center acquired on Thursday night as the centerpiece of the Brock Nelson deal, immediately became the best prospect in the organization — a 2023 first-round pick who projects as a top-six center in the NHL.
“Got the call around 12:30 from Isles management. Figured it was something to do with the trade,” Ritchie told The Post by phone Friday morning in his first comments since being traded. “Soon as I heard the news I was going to the Islanders, I was super excited, obviously. Great organization. Up-and-coming opportunity there.”
And, to be clear, the NHL is coming sooner rather than later for the 20-year-old who has dominated this season with the Ontario League’s Oshawa Generals.
“That’s the goal,” Ritchie said. “Obviously I want to play for the Islanders next season. I’ll go to camp and just work my hardest. See how it turns out.”
Ritchie made his NHL debut this season, playing seven games in October with the Avalanche before being sent back to juniors — which makes him ineligible to return to the NHL this season.
His only point, coincidentally, came with a goal he scored against the Islanders.
At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Ritchie looks like the Islanders’ long-term replacement for Brock Nelson, a big center with high-end offensive talent.
“I think I’m a good, reliable, two-way center that sees the ice well and can play make,” Ritchie said. “I think I have a good shot, too. I’m just excited. I’ll do anything to help the team win.”
There are no immediate connections to the organization — Kyle MacLean played juniors in Oshawa but the two didn’t cross paths — though Ritchie does work with Andrew Ladd as a mental performance coach.
“Obviously heard great things,” he said. “Super excited to get down there, meet everyone in the organization and get started.”
The Islanders snuck a deal over the line right at the deadline, sending Dennis Cholowski to the Devils in exchange for forward Adam Beckman.
Beckman is expected to report to AHL Bridgeport.
Marcus Högberg traveled and practiced with the Islanders, his first time doing so since suffering what’s assumed to be a broken hand on Jan. 25.
Coach Patrick Roy, however, did not say whether that means Högberg will be coming off injured reserve soon.
