Style is important to Kraken defensive prospect Tyson Jugnauth.
At the close of the team’s fourth-annual Development Camp Friday afternoon, Jugnauth, 20, took the liberty of explaining his signature look. A single, thick ring of tape around the shins of his socks, his jersey back-tucked, inspired by Kraken player development consultant Justin Rai, and a mop of brown hair longer than most of his fellow Kraken prospects’.
Even his gear is tailored to his tastes, including the white stick he used to score the opening goal of the day’s scrimmage 15 seconds into the first period. Contrary to strategic reasons, those suggesting white camouflages with the ice and is disorienting for goaltenders, Jugnauth picked his new weapon while in Wisconsin because it “looked cool.”
“The better you look, the better you play,” he said laughing, flashing a gap-toothed smile.
Watching the 2022 fourth-round pick waste no time ripping a blistering wrist shot past goaltender Victor Östman at his third camp with the Kraken, it’s hard to believe Jugnauth has done anything besides ooze easy going confidence. But it’s true– the past season-and-a-half with the University of Wisconsin’s hockey team was hard.
Despite recording 15 points and appearing in nearly ever game for Wisconsin in the 2022-23 season, opportunities dwindled for the defenseman. Jugnauth found keeping his spot in the lineup difficult, frequently a healthy scratch during the 2023-24 season and rotating between the third pair and seventh-defenseman position. He recorded two points in 13 games.
Unhappy in Wisconsin, Jugnauth took matters into his own hands.
Early in December 2023, the Portland Winterhawks moved four draft picks to acquire Jugnauth’s rights from the Kamloops Blazers, whom he’d never signed with, opening an avenue for him to transition from the NCAA to the WHL.
Making the decision to change teams was tough. A month of “back and forth” deliberation took place before the defenseman pulled the trigger. “It took a lot of thinking about talking to my parents a ton, and talking to Seattle’s development staff here.”
Thanks in part to heavy team travel, Jugnauth clicked with his Winterhawks teammates within the week of his signing. He found “best friends for life” sporting the black-and-red for a team that immediately entrusted to him 20 minutes of ice time a night and power play responsibility. Over the remaining 41 games of the season, Jugnauth scored 41 points, fully embracing his offensive upside.
“When I went to Portland, it was nice to be wanted. They really wanted me to come and play my game,” he said. “I got my confidence up really quickly.”
Jugnauth bet on himself, all by himself, and the risk paid off. Seattle’s development staff hardly involved themselves in his decision, instead encouraging the Toronto native to do what felt best for his growth.
“They left it up to me. They were gonna support me no matter what,” Jugnauth said.
“I give Juggy a ton of credit. To make that change mid-season was a difficult decision but he’s lived right up to the billing as an offensive guy,” director of player development Jeff Tambellini said. He noted Jugnauth’s dynamism and fluidity on-ice throughout camp as substantial improvements in his game. “We’ve been very happy with [his] progression.”
Little changes this offseason for Jugnauth. Seattle wants the 5-foot-11, 176-pound skater to work on bulking up and building strength ultimately to improve his speed, a goal that would be the same whether he did so preparing for a season in Wisconsin or Portland.
Other than that, the Kraken want Jugnauth to keep doing his thing. Embrace his style, and play with newfound confidence.