He played junior hockey for the Sarnia Sting and the London Knights, and won a gold medal at the 2004 World Junior Hockey Championship, playing for the United States. He won a Memorial Cup playing for the Knights in 2005. He also played youth hockey for the Parma Flyers and is one of three playes to go into the NHL from there. The other two player are Brian Holzinger and Michael Rupp.

 

His younger brother, Tom Fritsche, is an NHL prospect in his own right; he is currently playing at Ohio State University and is the property of the Colorado Avalanche. His uncle, John Fritsche, played for the United States at the 1990 World Hockey Championship and coaches the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets.