Isaac Ratcliffe Bio
Isaac Ratcliffe is a Canadian professional ice hockey left wing who currently plays for HC Bolzano of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, Ratcliffe was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round, 35th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He began his professional career in the Philadelphia Flyers organization before moving to the Nashville Predators system and eventually signing abroad with the Italian club in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Isaac Ratcliffe was born on February 15, 1999, in London, Ontario, Canada, to Elaine and Al Ratcliffe. He was born into a basketball family but followed his older brother Landon into ice hockey. Ratcliffe learned to skate at the age of three and began playing in organized games two years later. He was childhood friends with fellow London native Nick Suzuki, who would go on to become a National Hockey League (NHL) player themselves.
Ratcliffe and Suzuki played minor ice hockey together for the London Jr. Knights of Alliance Hockey. Originally a defenseman, Ratcliffe was converted to a power forward at the age of 11, as he spent most of his time in his team’s offensive zone. In his final season with the London Jr. Knights, Ratcliffe recorded 22 goals and 27 assists for a total of 49 points in 32 games, demonstrating the offensive potential that would define his junior career.
Path to Hockey
The Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) drafted Ratcliffe in the first round, 15th overall, of the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He joined the team for the 2015–16 season and scored his first junior goal on October 3, 2015, against goaltender Evan Cormier of the Saginaw Spirit. Ratcliffe finished his rookie season with five goals and eight assists in 46 games, though his development was limited by a number of injuries.
During the 2016–17 season, Ratcliffe experienced an offensive surge, recording seven goals and 10 assists in his first 19 games. He finished the season with 56 points in 67 games, including a team-leading 28 goals, and was named the Storm’s Most Improved Player. He was also one of two Guelph Storm skaters named to the 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, further establishing his status as a top NHL draft prospect.
Isaac Ratcliffe Career
Junior Career (2015–2019)
In June 2017, the Philadelphia Flyers selected Ratcliffe in the second round, 35th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers in August 2017. After attending training camp with Philadelphia, Ratcliffe returned to the Guelph Storm for the 2017–18 OHL season. Early in the season, he struggled with his speed and accuracy but soon found his form, scoring 37 goals through his first 61 games. He finished the season with 68 points and a career-high 41 goals, earning the Glad Mowatt Most Valuable Player Award, Fay Scott Memorial Award, and Top Scorer Award at the Storm’s end-of-year banquet.
When the Guelph season concluded, Ratcliffe joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, for the final games of their 2017–18 season. He played two AHL games that season and scored his first professional goal on April 13, 2018, in a 5–2 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Ratcliffe rejoined the Storm for the 2018–19 season and was named team captain, a role that would define his legacy with the organization.
Breakthrough Season (2018–2019)
On March 18, 2019, Ratcliffe scored his 49th and 50th goals of the season in a 5–2 defeat of the Erie Otters, making him the fifth player in Guelph Storm franchise history to reach the 50-goal mark in a single season. He finished the regular season with 50 goals and 82 points in 65 games and was awarded the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy for leadership in the OHL that spring.
Ratcliffe added another 15 goals and 30 points in 24 OHL playoff games as he captained the Storm to their first J. Ross Robertson Cup in six years and a berth in the Memorial Cup. Although the Storm fell in the Memorial Cup semifinal round, Ratcliffe contributed an additional 15 goals and 14 assists in 24 games and was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team, cementing his status as one of the most dominant forwards in junior hockey.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms Era (2019–2022)
Ratcliffe joined the Phantoms for the 2019–20 season, his first full season of professional ice hockey. He struggled with the transition from junior to professional level, particularly the greater resistance he faced from opposing skaters. Despite showing signs of improvement, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2019–20 AHL season. He finished the year with six goals and 15 points in 53 games with the Phantoms.
Ratcliffe was also limited by injuries during the 2020–21 AHL season, recording only two goals and six assists in 22 games. Facing a shortage of healthy forwards, the Philadelphia Flyers called Ratcliffe up to the NHL on January 27, 2022, to play on the fourth line with Zack MacEwen and Connor Bunnaman for their January 29 game against the Los Angeles Kings. This marked his NHL debut.
Milwaukee Admirals and HC Bolzano (2023–Present)
During the 2022–23 season, the Flyers traded Ratcliffe to the Nashville Predators in exchange for future considerations on February 26, 2023. He played out the remainder of his contract with the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, where he showed improved offensive output with 16 points through 21 regular season games and added three goals in his first playoff appearance in the AHL.
As a pending restricted free agent, Ratcliffe was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Predators and became a free agent. He signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Wolves on July 18, 2023. On August 25, 2023, Ratcliffe accepted an invitation to attend the St. Louis Blues 2023 training camp on a professional tryout contract. After two further seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals, Ratcliffe left as a free agent and signed his first contract abroad, agreeing to a one-year deal with HC Bolzano of the ICEHL on June 10, 2024.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Ratcliffe utilizes his size as a power forward in the NHL mold. His frame allows him to win board battles, establish position in front of the net, and protect the puck effectively. Originally converting from defense to forward at age 11, Ratcliffe developed into a scoring threat who can create offensive opportunities in tight spaces. His career with the Guelph Storm, where he twice surpassed 40 goals in a season, demonstrated his ability to be a consistent scoring presence at the junior level.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Ratcliffe’s most notable accomplishments came during his time with the Guelph Storm. His 50-goal season in 2018–19 placed him among the franchise’s elite scorers and earned him the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy. Leading the Storm to the J. Ross Robertson Cup and earning Memorial Cup All-Star Team honors represented the pinnacle of his junior career. He was also selected to the 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, highlighting his status as one of the top draft prospects in his class.
Isaac Ratcliffe Career Wins
Ratcliffe’s most productive years came during his OHL career with the Guelph Storm, where he developed into a premier goal scorer before transitioning to professional hockey.
Guelph Storm Highlights
During his four seasons with the Guelph Storm, Ratcliffe established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in franchise history. His 41-goal season in 2017–18 earned him the Storm’s MVP, Top Scorer, and Fay Scott Memorial Awards. The following year, his 50-goal campaign made him just the fifth player in Storm history to reach that milestone in a single season. He captained the team to the 2019 J. Ross Robertson Cup and earned MVP honors at the Memorial Cup All-Star Team selection. In 192 OHL games, Ratcliffe accumulated 196 points.
Professional Career
Ratcliffe made his professional debut with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2018, scoring his first AHL goal on April 13, 2018. His most productive professional season came with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2022–23, where he recorded 16 points in 21 regular season games. He appeared in one NHL game with the Philadelphia Flyers in January 2022.
Isaac Ratcliffe Family
Family Background
Ratcliffe was born in London, Ontario, to Elaine and Al Ratcliffe. His father Al and mother Elaine supported his early development in hockey. He grew up in a basketball family but followed his older brother Landon into ice hockey, which shaped his path in the sport. His family connections to basketball did not deter his pursuit of hockey excellence.
Personal Life
Ratcliffe grew up in London, Ontario, alongside his older brother Landon and childhood friend Nick Suzuki. He and Suzuki played minor hockey together for the London Jr. Knights before their paths diverged in junior hockey. Both players went on to successful professional careers, with Suzuki selected in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. The two remained friends throughout their development, sharing experiences in golf and soccer beyond hockey.
2025 Season Performance
Ratcliffe joined HC Bolzano of the ICE Hockey League in June 2024, marking his first professional season in European hockey. The transition from North American to European ice hockey presented a new challenge for the Canadian forward. The ICEHL features a blend of European players and North American imports, offering a different style of play than what Ratcliffe experienced in the AHL and OHL. His size and scoring ability were expected to translate well to the European game, where power forwards often thrive in the corners and in front of the net.
Ratcliffe’s career path demonstrated resilience through adversity, from overcoming early injuries in junior hockey to adapting to the professional game. His ability to bounce back from setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic disruption and injury-plagued seasons, showed his determination to establish himself at the professional level. Playing abroad in Italy represented a fresh start and an opportunity to showcase his skills in a new environment. His experience as a former NHL draft pick and team captain provided him with the leadership qualities needed to contribute immediately to Bolzano’s lineup.
