Cali captures rookie honour
NORTH BAY, Ont. — Ryder Cali of the North Bay Battalion has been named Rookie of the Week for the period ended Sunday, the Ontario Hockey League announced Monday.
Left winger Cali played all three Battalion games during the week, scoring three goals and earning one assist for four points.
He had one goal in a 6-4 home-ice loss last Monday to the Owen Sound Attack in the traditional Thanksgiving Day matinee. He then contributed one goal and one assist in a 4-3 road win Saturday night over the Barrie Colts and one goal in a 3-2 victory via shootout Sunday as the Battalion completed a sweep of the Rivalry Week series at Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens.
Having registered one goal and one assist in a 5-3 loss Oct. 11 at Owen Sound, the Penetanguishene, Ont., resident, who turned 17 on Sept. 6, has a goal in each of the last four games. In 11 games this season, he has a team-leading seven goals and two assists for nine points.
“Ryder was a key part of the team’s success this past weekend and is very deserving of this recognition,” said Adam Dennis, director of hockey operations.
“He’s an impressive person off the ice who has been putting in extra work in the classroom, all while excelling on the ice. We’re proud of his accomplishment and look forward to helping him grow further throughout the year.”
Originally chosen by the Soo Greyhounds in the first round, 18th overall, of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, Cali saw his rights traded to North Bay on Sept. 13, 2024, for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection and three conditional choices, one in 2027 and two in 2028. The Greyhounds received a compensatory pick, 19th overall, in 2025 for what was deemed a defected player.
A native of Lugano, Switzerland, Cali signed an education and development agreement with the Battalion in December, 2024. When called up from the junior A Milton Menace, he played five games without registering a point. He has made a verbal commitment to Harvard University of Cambridge, Mass.
