Today’s first on-ice sessions of Seattle Kraken rookie camp will check another box in Berkly Catton’s high-speed NHL ascension.
While most other prospects at Kraken Community Iceplex are hoping for an NHL callup in 2025-26, the 19-year-old Catton is expected to play at least a few games in Seattle this season. Maybe more than a few – and those expectations for the 2024 Seattle 1st round pick aren’t limited to within the organization.
The Athletic lists the prolific junior scorer as #15 on their ranking of top 20 Calder Trophy candidates for the 2025-26 season. (Kraken forward Jani Nyman earned an honorable mention.) “There may not be a team in the league that needs to inject a skill player more than the Kraken,” writes Scott Wheeler.
“With Matty Beniers, Chandler Stephenson and Shane Wright, the Kraken have their three centers pretty set in stone, but Catton could move to the wing, and there has been some talk about trying to find Wright a top-six spot. There is a bit of a crowd vying for top-six minutes. But they have to prioritize doing right by Catton, and there’s definitely a scenario where he plays his way on in camp, wins a top-nine role and doesn’t look back because of his skill and skating. In that scenario, he’s a sneaky candidate.”
Much more on Catton on Friday, in our preview of this weekend’s prospect games against youngsters from the Vancouver Canucks.
How Many Future NHLers On This List?
Those of you wishing to get a look at this year’s prospect pool should plan to be at KCI between 10:45 am and noon, the only session of rookie camp open to the public. Here are mini-sketches of key campers, provided by the CHL. (Their full reports on Kraken prospects playing in or alumni of the WHL and OHL can be found here and here.)
Defense
Lukas Dragicevic: “Dragicevic potted 18 goals and 52 assists in 66 regular-season games, finishing fourth among all WHL blueliners in points, third in assists and seventh in goals. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound right-shot defenseman also paced the Prince Albert Raiders in the playoffs with 14 points (6G-8A) in 11 contests.”
Blake Fiddler: “Fiddler was one of the youngest players to attend the USA’s 2025 World Junior Selection Camp and was among the final cuts. He’ll aim to crack the roster on his second go-around after impressing at the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase.”
Kaden Hammell: “Hammell bagged 10 goals and 28 assists for 38 points and a +45 rating through 59 regular-season games to help the Everett Silvertips clinch the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL regular season champions.”
Tyson Jugnauth: “The Portland Winterhawks alternate captain was named WHL Defenceman of the Year after a tremendous 89-point (13G-76A) campaign, including a monster six assists in a 7-2 win over Vancouver in December of 2024.”
Ty Nelson: “Nelson completed a strong rookie AHL season, playing in all 72 games for Coachella Valley – the only defenseman on the team to do so. He contributed 32 points (6-26–32) and brought a steady two-way presence to the Firebirds’ blue line.”
Caden Price: “Price picked up nine goals and 34 assists for 43 points in 57 games with the Kelowna Rockets and Lethbridge Hurricanes; all three of his goals with Lethbridge stood as game-winners. The Saskatoon, Sask. product was rock-solid in the postseason with another eight points.”
Forwards
Jagger Firkus: “Firkus netted 15 goals (plus three game-winners) and 21 assists for 36 points in 69 games – finishing seventh in the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds scoring race, and fourth in goals.”
Julius Miettinen: “The formidable 6-foot-4, 207-pound center (and netfront menace) continued to impress despite an injury-shortened season. He’s expected to represent his home country (Finland) at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, and hold key duties for the Everett Silvertips.”
Logan Morrison: “Morrison suited up for the Firebirds in 2024–25, where he contributed 42 points (14-28–42) in 72 games. He made his NHL debut the year prior, appearing in four games with Seattle.”
Jake O’Brien: “The former OHL Rookie of the Year posted 98 points (32-66–98) in 66 games, showcasing elite vision and offensive instincts. The 6-foot-2 Brantford Bulldogs center brings high-end playmaking to the Kraken’s prospect pool.”
Carson Rehkopf: “Combined for Kitchener and Brampton, Rehkopf netted 86 points (42-44–86) through 57 regular-season games. He made his AHL debut this past season with the Firebirds and also represented Canada at the IIHF World Juniors for the second straight year.”
Nathan Villeneuve: “Known for his gritty style and scoring touch, Villeneuve reached new career bests with 70 points (34-36–70), including 120 penalty minutes across 57 games for the Sudbury Wolves.”