Seattle Kraken 2024 1st round draft pick Berkly Catton will be one of the high-profile participants at Seattle rookie camp, which begins today at Kraken Community Iceplex.
Slippery & Smart
Best one-word summary of Catton’s game: “Slippery,” says Luke Sweeney of Dobber Prospects “There is nobody in this class with his ability to move laterally through the neutral zone. Combined with his highly-calculated puck-handling, Catton is nearly impossible to contain off the rush. Catton is also quite adept at evading and fighting through pressure, which allows him to make many plays into the middle of the ice.”
Mensa-level hockey IQ: THN’s Tony Ferrari calls Catton “arguably the smartest player in the draft class.” The valedictorian wouldn’t disagree. “I would have to say I’m a fast player – not just the way I skate. But the way I think the game and stuff. I’d say, thinking the game would probably be my strongest thing.”
Comparables
Who he reminds hockey people of: Elias Petterson, says analytics expert Meghan Chayka. “A lot of puck possession, a play driver, attacks through the middle of the ice with speed. Moves the puck to dangerous areas, and can execute those really difficult plays. He creates space. Waits that extra second to make the play.”
Jesper Bratt, says ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. “I think that would excite Seattle fans a lot.”
Braydon Point, says Catton. “I see a lot of similarities. His speed, he’s so dynamic off entries. Their dish out to the wall, then quick little slip play to the middle. My transition game is a strong part of my game. That’s where we would be similar.”
In His Own Words
Whether he can play on the wing as well as center: “Growing up, I got kicked to the wing by the older guys, so I have that ability as well. Either way, I’ll find success.”
Self-assessment of his 54 goal, 116 point 2023-24 season with the Spokane Chiefs: “The points part is obviously great, but I was really happy with the growth in my overall game. I look at my goal-scoring side of things, which skyrocketed this year; I think I made myself a more dynamic player.”
Driving to his destination: “I’m training to play in the NHL this year. I have a high compete level, which allows me to make plays and drive the game. As a 19-year-old I would really like to play in the NHL.”
The Really Important Stuff
Spokane Chiefs Screengrab
He wore a custom-made pinstripe suit to June’s NHL Draft. “It’s a 3-piece suit with some pictures on the inside and some quotes,” explains Catton. Renowned designer J.F. Bedard flew from his exclusive Glorious Boutique in Montreal to Catton’s Saskatoon home for a custom fitting.
He may be the only player in his age group NOT into video games. He does like golfing, playing the guitar, and “always been a big movie guy.” He watched Star Wars for the first time last year.
The summer when he was 16, he constructed a goalie out of wood to shoot pucks at. “I wasn’t scoring as much as I’d like. I think that was due to maybe my shot not being where it should be. I built my own goalie when I was bored one day. I lived in my backyard shooting pucks.” He named his target after one of his goalie teammates with the Spokane Chiefs, “because I always score on him in practice. I was kind of chirping him about it.”
Player on hockey posters in his Saskatoon bedroom: Gordie Howe.
Famous relation: cousin Cory Sarich, who played 969 NHL games for Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Calgary and Colorado.
Favorite current player: New Jersey Devils defenseman Jack Hughes.
His insanely magnificent name for playing defense: “Pre-offense. Defense, it’s just a way to get the puck.”