The Kraken pipeline gains another accolade with the Everett Silvertips’ leadership settled.
Friday, the Silvertips announced Eric Jamieson and Kraken prospect Kaden Hammell as co-captains for the 2024-25 season. They’ll be supported by alternate captains Carter Bear, Beau Courtney, Tyler MacKenzie, and Tarin Smith.
“Having the C is super cool, it’s a cool moment,” noted Hammell via press release. “We’ve got a pretty good team, so we want to make sure that we’re super competitive but having fun on and off the ice.”
Hammell, 19, will don the “C” alongside Jamieson, a one-time Kraken development camp invitee and current Calgary Flames draft pick. After serving as alternates last season, they’ll succeed Austin Roest and Ben Hemmerling as the 24th and 25th captains in Silvertips history.
A lack of official captaincy experience is no weakness for Hammell, who expressed an eagerness to lead his peers in conversation with Davy Jones’ Locker Room at Silvertips training camp in August. Despite Landon DuPont’s arrival to the ‘Tips defensive corps as the ninth player granted exceptional status in CHL history, Hammell’s depth chart seniority is unaffected. Seattle’s unsigned 2023 fifth-round pick is primed for a first-pair role after returning from Kraken training camp Sept. 23.
From observing the likes of former Kamloops Blazers captain Quinn Schmiemann and former ‘Tips captain Jackson Berezowski, to veterans in the Kraken locker room, Hammell understands team leadership is about “making sure everybody feels comfortable” enough to “play to their best abilities.” It’s about ensuring his teammates feel like “leadership [is] behind them.”
“Everybody’s got their own way of being a leader. Certain guys lead by example, certain guys lead with their voice, whatever it is. A lot of guys have a mixture of both,” Hammell reflected. “And that’s what I feel like myself. [I’m] trying to be the best I can possibly be leading in both those ways.”
Hammell expressed “definitely” wanting to be a part of Everett’s leadership group again, a desire complimentary to his goals of developing into a shutdown defenseman and propelling his team to a deep postseason run. The Portland Winterhawks swept the Silvertips in the second round of the playoffs last year. Two losses in the WHL final series– the most recent occurring in 2018– are the only championship appearances to Everett’s name.
“I’m always a guy that’s completely open to whatever I need to do to help the team win. I’m going to be the first guy to do that. Whatever that role is, that’s where I want to be,” Hammell said.
Hammell and Jamieson will make their debuts as captains at home this Saturday, when the Silvertips welcome the Winterhawks for their first meeting this season.