Isaac Ratcliffe Bio
Isaac Ratcliffe is a Canadian professional ice hockey left wing for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round, 35th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, Ratcliffe plays a power-forward style and has built his career through the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the AHL since turning professional in 2018.
Born in London, Ontario, Ratcliffe developed through minor hockey in his hometown before becoming a first-round OHL pick and one of the top NHL prospects in his draft class. He later spent parts of three seasons in the Philadelphia Flyers organization before joining the Nashville Predators system in February 2023.
Early Life and Background
Isaac Ratcliffe was born on February 15, 1999, in London, Ontario, to Elaine and Al Ratcliffe. He grew up in a basketball-oriented household but followed his older brother Landon into ice hockey, learning to skate at the age of three and playing organized games by the time he was five. His older brother played a key role in introducing him to the sport and in shaping his early athletic development.
Ratcliffe was a childhood friend of fellow London native Nick Suzuki, a future National Hockey League (NHL) player, and the two spent their early years playing ice hockey, golf, and soccer together. Originally developed as a defenceman, Ratcliffe was converted to a power forward at the age of 11 because most of his playing time came in the offensive zone. He and Suzuki went on to play minor hockey for the London Jr. Knights of Alliance Hockey, where Ratcliffe closed out his final season with 22 goals and 27 assists for 49 points in 32 games.
Path to Hockey
Ratcliffe’s jump to elite-level junior hockey began when the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) selected him in the first round, 15th overall, at the 2015 OHL Priority Selection. He joined the Storm for the 2015–16 OHL season and scored his first junior goal on October 3, 2015, against Saginaw Spirit goaltender Evan Cormier. That rookie year was shortened by injuries, and he finished with five goals and eight assists in 46 games.
During the 2016–17 OHL season, Ratcliffe posted an offensive surge, notching seven goals and 10 assists in his first 19 games. By his 43rd game he had nearly tripled his previous totals, with 20 goals and 18 assists, and was one of two Guelph Storm skaters named to the 2017 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. He finished the year with 56 points in 67 games, including a team-leading 28 goals, and was named the Storm’s Most Improved Player.
Isaac Ratcliffe Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
After his strong sophomore OHL campaign, the Philadelphia Flyers selected Ratcliffe in the second round, 35th overall, of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and he signed an entry-level contract with the club in August 2017. He returned to Guelph for the 2017–18 OHL season and overcame a slow start to record 37 goals through his first 61 games. He finished that year with 68 points and a career-high 41 goals, earning the Glad Mowatt Most Valuable Player Award, the Fay Scott Memorial Award, and the Top Scorer Award at the Storm’s end-of-year banquet.
When the Guelph season ended, Ratcliffe joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, for the closing stretch of the 2017–18 season. He played two AHL games and scored his first professional goal on April 13, 2018, in a 5–2 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
OHL Captaincy and Guelph Storm Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Ratcliffe rejoined the Guelph Storm for the 2018–19 OHL season and was named team captain. On March 18, 2019, he scored his 49th and 50th goals of the season in a 5–2 defeat of the Erie Otters, becoming only the fifth player in 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 won the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy for leadership in the OHL.
Ratcliffe added 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 Guelph fell in the Memorial Cup semifinal round, Ratcliffe recorded 15 goals and 14 assists in 24 games and was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms Era (2019–2023)
Ratcliffe joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms again in 2019–20 for his first full professional season. The transition to the AHL was difficult, as he faced stronger resistance from opposing skaters, but he showed signs of improvement before 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.
Injuries again limited him during the 2020–21 AHL season, when he managed two goals and six assists in 22 games. With the Flyers dealing with injuries to their forwards, Ratcliffe received his first NHL call-up on January 27, 2022, and was slated to play on the fourth line with Zack MacEwen and Connor Bunnaman for the January 29 game against the Los Angeles Kings.
Nashville Predators Trade and Milwaukee Admirals Era (2023–Present)
During the 2022–23 season, the Philadelphia 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, increasing his offensive output with 16 points through 21 regular-season games and adding 3 goals in his first AHL playoff appearance.
As a pending restricted free agent, Ratcliffe was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Predators and was released. On July 18, 2023, he signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Wolves, the lone AHL independent club, and later accepted a professional tryout invitation to attend the St. Louis Blues 2023 training camp on August 25, 2023. He has since returned to the Milwaukee Admirals, where he continues his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 6 inches and roughly 200 pounds, Ratcliffe is best known for his size, reach, and net-front presence. He developed into a power forward after being moved from defence at age 11, and his game has been built around offensive-zone play, scoring around the crease, and using his frame to win board battles. His 50-goal OHL season in 2018–19 highlighted his finishing ability and willingness to attack the middle of the ice.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ratcliffe’s 50-goal Guelph Storm season in 2018–19, his selection to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team, and his captaincy of a J. Ross Robertson Cup champion all stand as signature moments of his career. His first NHL call-up with the Philadelphia Flyers in January 2022 marked another key milestone, along with his trade to the Nashville Predators organization in February 2023 and his AHL playoff debut later that spring.
Isaac Ratcliffe Career Wins
Across his major-junior and professional career, Isaac Ratcliffe has built a record defined by offensive production, leadership, and championship experience. He is a J. Ross Robertson Cup champion with the Guelph Storm, a Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy winner, and a Memorial Cup All-Star Team selection.
OHL Highlights
During his four OHL seasons with the Guelph Storm, Ratcliffe developed into one of the league’s premier power forwards, highlighted by a 50-goal, 82-point regular season in 2018–19. He also captained the Storm to the 2019 J. Ross Robertson Cup, scored 15 goals in 24 OHL playoff games, and recorded 15 goals and 14 assists in 24 Memorial Cup games. His Most Improved Player award in 2016–17, followed by MVP, Top Scorer, and Fay Scott Memorial honors in 2017–18, traced a steady climb in production and responsibility.
Other Wins and Performances
In the AHL, Ratcliffe posted 16 points in 21 regular-season games with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2022–23 and added 3 goals in his first AHL playoff appearance. His earlier stint with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms included a six-goal, 15-point rookie professional season in 2019–20 and his first professional goal, scored April 13, 2018, against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Isaac Ratcliffe Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Isaac Ratcliffe was raised in London, Ontario, by his parents, Elaine Ratcliffe and Al Ratcliffe, in a household centered on basketball. His older brother, Landon Ratcliffe, was his introduction to ice hockey, and the siblings spent their early years training and playing together.
Personal Life
Ratcliffe remains connected to his London, Ontario roots, where he grew up playing minor hockey alongside future NHL center Nick Suzuki. He has largely kept his personal life private, with no public information available regarding a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Isaac Ratcliffe is established as a power forward in the Nashville Predators organization through his Milwaukee Admirals affiliation. His late-season surge with the Admirals in 2022–23, where he produced 16 points in 21 games and scored in the AHL playoffs, suggested continued offensive growth at the professional level.
With the Predators’ AHL pipeline offering a clear path to NHL opportunity, Ratcliffe’s 2025 outlook centers on continuing his scoring pace, earning additional AHL playoff experience, and positioning himself for another NHL call-up. His size, finishing ability, and leadership background as a former OHL captain give him a defined role within the Admirals’ forward group.
If his professional trajectory continues, Ratcliffe’s 2025 campaign is likely to be measured in goals, special-teams contributions, and the pursuit of his first sustained NHL recall. His blend of junior pedigree and recent AHL production makes him a steady depth-scoring option for the Predators’ developmental system.