One of the less-heralded Seattle Kraken prospects has been Finnish goalie Kim Saarinen. But Saarinen gave himself a coming-out party at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Minnesota this week.
USA Hockey TV screengrabs
The Showcase matches squads from Canada, USA, Sweden and Finland. Players who stand out can earn themselves a roster spot at the IIHF World Junior Championship (WJC) in December.
Saarinen, drafted in the 3rd round by the Kraken in 2024, looked good in Finland’s 6-3 win over Canada on July 30. The 6-foot-3, 19 year old netminder stopped 30 of 33 Canadian shots, including 26 of 28 in the final 40 minutes.
“Saarinen clearly wants the starter’s job” for Team Finland at the WJC, wrote Steven Ellis of DailyFaceoff.com. “Canada tested him often early, and he did give up the first goal off a Porter Martone breakaway.
“But after that, Saarinen was unstoppable, looking as dominant as I’ve ever seen him play at the national team level. He was athletic, but didn’t overextend himself when he didn’t need to. I love everything he brought to the table today, and he was a huge reason why Finland won.”
Three Kraken forward prospects are on Team Canada’s roster: 1st round picks Berkly Catton (2024) and Jake O’Brien (2025), as well as 2024 4th rounder Ollie Josephson. However, none of that trio were in the lineup against Saarinen.
Blake Fiddler, Seattle 2025 2nd round pick, is playing on defense for Team USA. The Showcase concludes with games today (Aug. 1) and Saturday (Aug. 2).
Lowdown On Lowry
Simon Fearn-Imagn Images
Deep within a The Athletic profile of Ottawa Senators prospect Carter Yakemchuk is this nugget: “‘It’s July 15,’ said Seattle Kraken assistant Dave Lowry, one of the on-site coaches at the CRASH session. ‘There’s only so much you can give, right?'”
Omitted was one word: “former.” Lowry was dismissed by the Kraken along with head coach Dan Bylsma and assistant Bob Woods after last season.
CRASH, by the way, stands for… well, apparently the word “Crash” in all capital letters. It’s the brainchild – should I say brawnchild? – of Doug Crashley, a junior goalie in the late 1990s.
According to the story, “Every summer in Calgary, a group of players and coaches under CRASH Conditioning gather to prepare for the season ahead.” So now you know how Dave Lowry has been staying busy this summer.
Campbell’s Influence Extends To Switzerland
Glenn Dreyfuss photo.
Speaking of Kraken assistant coaches, Jessica Campbell was retained on the staff of new head coach Lane Lambert. She’s received deserving praise for being the first female NHL behind-the-bench coach .
Who you usually don’t hear from are people Campbell has inspired. Add to that list Daniela Diaz, head of Switzerland’s EV Zug women and girls program, and coach of a Women’s League club. Diaz previously represented Switzerland in the Olympics as a player and coach.
An IIHF.com profile says, “Diaz has been inspired personally by both female and male coaches, including trailblazing Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell.” As Diaz explains, “We have a semi-professional structure now. And we are trying to inspire other clubs as well, because only together can we grow the game of women’s hockey in Switzerland.”
She estimates 100 girls have signed up to play hockey in the past two years. “It’s a lot compared to the past,” says Diaz.
Unlikely Teammates For An Unlikely Event
When you think Colin Kaepernick and Marshawn Lynch, you think… hockey? Well, maybe you think first about the bruising 2010’s battles for NFC West supremacy between Kaepernick’s 49ers and Lynch’s Seahawks.
Next month, the pair will be teammates, and the sport will be hockey. (Lynch, as you know, is an investor of the Seattle Kraken.) As CBC reports, “The two will join members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance in hosting a road hockey tournament for marginalized youth in Toronto on Aug. 16.”