Maybe there’s early-season scoring mojo bestowed by the captain’s “C” for members of the Seattle Kraken organization.
It certainly appears so for Jordan Eberle, named Oct. 8 as the second captain in Kraken history. In game two wearing the “C” emblem, Eberle (above photo) scored two goals against the Minnesota Wild Saturday, plus the shootout winner.
Chiefs Captain Catton
Meanwhile, the WHL Spokane Chiefs named center Berkly Catton as team captain when he returned from an extended preseason look with the parent club. Catton wowed coaches during development camp, rookie camp, training camp, and Van Camp’s, where he learned to prepare baked beans.* (*Just seeing if you’re paying attention.)
“This transition is not easy,” Catton told SWXLocalSports. “You’re in two completely different roles. You go up there (to NHL training camp) and get humbled a little bit. You’re playing against the best players in the world, so I think I’m getting my step back here.”
Far from feeling pressure due to the captaincy, 18-year-old Catton is piling up points – two goals, eight assists in his first six Chiefs games. He had three helpers in a 7-2 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds.
“That’s one thing I do take a lot of pride in, being a leader, and I think good hockey teams have great leaders,” Catton said.
“When I look up to someone as a leader, they’re out doing the things they’re preaching, and that’s how I look at it. So if I’m saying to do something, I better be out there doing it harder than anyone; trying to be the hardest worker in practice is kind of the way I lead. In the room, when I do talk, people listen. That’s the way I want to be – not using words all the time. I see myself as a leader by example.”
Double-L Kraken Captain Club
At the major junior level, three additional Kraken prospects have been named captain of their Western Hockey League clubs.
- Kaden Hammell, Everett Silvertips: a 5th-round 2022 defenseman, Hammell is already +9 after eight games, leading the ‘Tips to a 1st place tie with Spokane atop the U.S. Division.
- Clarke Caswell, Swift Current Broncos: the 2023 4th round center has been super helpful, with eight assists in his first seven games.
- Ollie Josephson, Red Deer Rebels: here’s center Josephson, a 4th round pick in 2024, showing off with a highlight-reel goal.
Note: We didn’t forget the Kraken’s AHL farm team in Coachella Valley. The Firebirds have had the same captain since Day One, Max McCormick. The 32-year-old winger has played 11 of his career 94 NHL games with Seattle, but isn’t considered a likely call-up candidate.