A DIFFERENT RITTICH AFTER HOURS
Hockey Night post-show offers chance to see inside world of Flames goaltender
It has become part of a weekly ritual for Hockey Night in Canada viewers.
It is also, in many ways, symbolic of the National Hockey League’s best stories and a showcase of its biggest stars; its guests provide entertainment, giving those that watch it a glimpse into the human side of the game.
But for some NHL players, the significance is lost.
“I barely know what it is,” said Calgary Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson, innocently.
Andersson, of course, grew up in Sweden — so he can be forgiven — but for many Canadians, where hockey is a religion and HNIC is church, After Hours is a can’t-miss program that follows Saturday night games on CBC and Sportsnet.
Usually, veteran broadcaster Scott Oake is the quarterback of the show along with Louie Debrusk, taking turns asking their guest a series of interesting questions.
And, like Andersson, Flames netminder David Rittich had no idea what the heck he was in for when he went on for the first time last November.
“They were talking about his rituals and shots to the head and all of the little quirks he has,” said Flames goaltending coach Jordan Sigalet.
“It’s good for him to do that. I think maybe people were questioning why he was on there instead of some of the other players we have. But he’s such a good story … I think people appreciated him after seeing him on there.”
Which is the idea of the show — to provide a different side of players. Viewers will get a chance to see inside Rittich’s world again when he makes his second appearance on After Hours following the Flames’ clash with the defending Stanley Cup-champion St. Louis Blues (8 p.m., CBC, Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet 1, Sportsnet 960 The Fan).
Rittich took a much-deserved rest and media-free day on Friday while the Flames hit the ice after Thursday’s dominant 5-2 win over the visiting New Jersey Devils.
Heading into Friday’s NHL action, the 27-year-old Czech goalie led the league in games played (15), games started (15), and was tied with Marc-andre Fleury and Frederik Andersen for the league lead with nine wins. The man they call ‘Big Save Dave’ has been one of the reasons why the Flames are 10-7-2.
It’s been a heavy workload for Rittich to start 2019-20, but it was what he envisioned in the summertime when inking a twoyear contract extension with the Flames worth an average annual value of US$2.75 million per season.
General manager Brad Treliving pointed out that Rittich has “taken a step every year.”
He’s not wrong. This year is no different. Rittich’s progression and consistency has been one of Calgary’s most interesting angles in their topsy-turvy start to the season.
A good indication of that is his presence on After Hours as the producers determine prior to every show who would be a compelling guest.
If the Flames play at home on a Saturday night, there’s a good chance CBC or Sportsnet will be on — and that means that post-game, they’ll get an earful of After Hours, regardless of who is on the show.
“Usually it’ll be on in the lounge,” said Flames forward Mark Jankowski. “It’s right after the game, so we usually have it on the TV. You might just catch a couple of lines here and there.”
English, clearly, is not Rittich’s first language being from Jihlava, Czech Republic.
It’s been a work in progress, considering he’s only been in North America since the 201617 campaign when he played for Calgary’s American Hockey League team — the Stockton Heat.
But Rittich’s grasp of the language has improved, and that came across during his first appearance on After Hours where he was flanked by Sportsnet’s Ryan Leslie and Debrusk who quizzed him about many subjects including pre-game sodas, his desire to play his “lovely game,” post-save celebrations and video evidence of his pre-game ritual where he asks a coach to shoot a few pucks directly at his head (seriously).
“I didn’t think it was too painful,” Mark Jankowski said of Rittich’s debut last year. “He’s a personality. And his English is pretty good.
“I remember when we were both rookies the same year in Stockton and how far his English has come since that year has been pretty spectacular.”
It’s good for him to do that. He’s such a good story … I think people appreciated him after seeing him on there.