Seattle Kraken prospect Ollie Josephson surely has the week of Aug. 25 circled on his calendar. That’s the first week of classes at the University of North Dakota, where Josephson has committed to skating for the Fighting Hawks this winter.
The Kraken’s 2024 4th round draft pick captained the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels last season. “It’s been exciting,” he told the CHL website. “I don’t look at myself as the captain, but as one of the guys and just being part of trying to do whatever it takes every night. I try to lead by example on the ice or off the ice, wherever it is, just try to do the right things.” The 6-foot, 188 pound forward fought through injuries, which caused him to miss 20 games. “It definitely wasn’t easy, definitely tough not being with the team.”
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About his conversations with the Kraken, “Mostly they’re happy with my development.” A highlight was Josephson’s 57% win rate on faceoffs. “They do talk with me a bit on that and try to give me some tips,” he said. “We don’t talk a crazy amount, but they say to keep working hard, develop my all-around game, use my speed and try to put up points.”
The Victoria, BC native scored 14 goals and 21 assists in 48 games last season. During the just-completed World Junior Summer Showcase, Josephson was held off the scoresheet during three games for Team Canada.
While those aren’t bowl-you-over offensive numbers, an NHL scout finds a lot to like in Josephson’s game. “High speed, high energy,” the scout was quoted by the Grand Forks Herald. “Character guy on and off the ice. Still has more to give offensively, but he’s such a responsible 200-foot player. Will be able to make an immediate impact at the college level through his transition play and competitiveness.”
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Red Deer general manager Brent Sutter, who played 18 NHL seasons and later coached the Flames and Devils (some like it hot?), added his own praise of Josephson. “He’s a solid two-way guy who takes pucks to the net and makes great plays. Very responsible in his own zone. He’s someone that’s in control of his own game, supporting his teammates from center ice. He can skate so well and he’s very, very smart.”
Josephson’s move to the NCAA was possible because, “As of Aug. 1, WHL players no longer forfeit their NCAA eligibility by playing major junior hockey,” points out the Victoria News. “This change ends decades of players having to choose between major junior and college hockey.”
The ramifications to major junior hockey of this seismic shift are only beginning to be felt, with Victoria an unhappy WHL canary in the coal mine. “The Royals have been affected by the flow south and have lost six potential WHL returnees to the NCAA,” reports the Times-Colonist. Victoria-based player agent Bayne Pettinger predicts, “There will be shock value to it and the CHL will have to adapt and get younger with more 16- and 17-year-olds.”
The CHL (Canadian Hockey League) oversees three junior circuits, the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.