Career
Ritola was drafted 103rd overall in the fourth round of the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. He played as a winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ritola played his first National Hockey League game with the Red Wings on March 15, 2008 against the Nashville Predators.
On Tuesday October 6, 2010 Ritola was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
He scored his first National Hockey League goal on October 30, 2010 against Ilya Bryzgalov of the Phoenix Coyotes
Early in November 2011, Ritola cleared regular waivers and was assigned to Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League, however Ritola refused to report to the AHL club On November 9, 2011, Ritola cleared unconditional waivers and his contract with Tampa Bay was terminated so he would be free to pursue playing opportunities in Europe.
On November 10, 2011, Modo Hockey announced that he signed a contract to play until the 2012-2013 season of Elitserien. His contract was extended to the 2015-2016 season on January 4, 2013.
During the 2014-2015 season, after 10 games with Modo, Ritola transferred to return to his original and fellow SHL club, Leksands IF on October 13, 2014.