Grade-A Seattle Kraken prospects Berkley Catton and Jani Nyman will begin their Septembers at the practice facility of the Washington Capitals.
No, you didn’t miss what would be a shocking trade by the Kraken. Instead, Catton and Nyman have been invited to participate in a gathering of young players expected to make an impact at the NHL level.
WHL Photo
From an NHLPA press release: “The National Hockey League Players’ Association and Upper Deck will host the 15th annual NHLPA Rookie Showcase on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, with over 30 NHL prospects and rookies scheduled to attend.
“This unique event provides Upper Deck – the official trading card partner of the NHLPA and the NHL – with an opportunity to capture photographs and videos of many of the game’s top young prospects and rookies in their official NHL team uniforms. The content collected will be used by Upper Deck to create the players’ first NHL and NHLPA licensed rookie trading cards, as well as additional promotional materials throughout the season and beyond.”
Time March(ments) On
@SeattleKraken
At right is Seattle summer trade acquisition Mason Marchment, for the first time in Kraken duds. The photo was proudly released by the team’s social media. The photos caused some heartburn among Dallas Stars fans, who loved the feisty winger as much as other fan bases despised him.
A sample of social media reaction from Big D: (1) “I had to feel the pain of the trade all over again.” (2) “I know this’ll ruin so many of y’all’s day.” (They even write “y’all.”) (3) “I miss him already.” Several posted gifs of crying or screaming. A magnanimous Stars fan wrote, “Y’all are going to love Mason!” (Y’all!)
My favorite sentiments came from “Paige,” who first posted, “I’m throwing myself off of the AAC now,” but rallied later to write, “I can’t even be mad because look at how well his eyes match the jersey.” Stay strong, Paige!
As Stars blog BladesOfSteel.com pointed out, “Marchment’s style of play, a mix of physicality and offensive punch, made him a perfect depth piece for the Stars during their recent playoff runs. He wasn’t just another forward; he became part of the locker room identity and a player that fans rallied around.”
That’s also why Stars fans weren’t the only ones lamenting Marchment’s trade to the Kraken. Always hopeful MapleLeafsDaily.com is wishing Toronto will get a second chance. “Marchment, who carries a cap hit of $4.5 million this year, will become a free agent next summer, should he get to that point. The Maple Leafs could always circle back in the off-season, or even at the trade deadline if Seattle is out of the playoff picture.”
If You’re Jessie Eldridge, You CAN Go Home Again
Josh Kim / Ottawa Charge
Years before landing this season with PWHL Seattle, Jessie Eldridge honed her teen hockey skills with the Barrie (Ont.) Junior Sharks.
CTV screengrab
Eldridge returned to Barrie this month to lead on-ice instruction at development camp, as well as provide motivation for the next generation of female players.
“I’m jealous,” she joked in a CTV interview. “I grew up playing with the boys because there wasn’t that opportunity. To come in the middle of August and be on the ice with a bunch of girls just shows how much our game has grown.”
Eldridge had added motivation to return to Barrie – her dad Duane Eldridge, who’s spent a quarter-century in player development, is head coach of the Jr. Sharks. “To still have some family connection there has been awesome. (The Jr. Sharks were) the reason I was able to start playing and continue playing.”
Her involvement this week is rooted in “making sure every girl in Barrie has the opportunity to play, and to look forward to what the women’s sport has to offer. The day hockey feels like a job is the day you should stop playing. Making sure they always have a smile on their face, and never forgetting that, no matter what level you play.”
And just maybe, one other under-the-radar mission. “Hopefully, we get some more PWHL Seattle fans by the end of the night.”
Who Said It? And Who Did He Say It About?
“He’s got some bang in his game, and that’s what we love about him. He’s got determination. He wants to make a difference physically. He can kill some penalties. He can play on your second, third lines. He can get out there and give you some energy. He never shorts you on effort, so he’s going to be an exciting player, I think, for our fans to get to know.”
Utah Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong, speaking to the Deseret News about summer free agent signing – and four-year Seattle Kraken fan favorite – Brandon Tanev.