In the second-to-last game of the season, Seattle Kraken rookie Berkly Catton skated toward a loose puck against the Vegas Golden Knights.
He didn’t get there.
“This is a discussion I had with Berkly,” said Seattle general manager Jason Botterill. “You just realize how fast you have to be to get there. There’s an intensity to the National Hockey League playoffs and this year with the Olympic break, it really started right then.
“This is important to educate our players. These are things young players learn from.”
Kraken Kept Catton Close
The 8th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft underwent quite the education in 2025-26. Catton, starting at age 19, spent the entire season in Seattle. The 5-fooot-10, 179 pound forward contributed seven goals and 10 assists in 66 Kraken games, averaging 12:56 TOI.
As with Shane Wright before him, Catton’s options were limited. He wasn’t eligible under current rules to play at AHL Coachella Valley, so he could either remain with the Kraken or return to the Spokane Chiefs, his junior club. Catton had nothing left to learn in the WHL, so he received on-the-job NHL training.
“It was kind of a whirlwind from start to finish,” Catton admitted. “A great learning year for me. You play every other night. So it’s just about trying to be as consistent as possible, finding little tricks within the game.”
Toto, We’re Not In Spokane Anymore
“It’s different than junior. In the corner with 6-foot-4 NHL defensemen is a different story. It’s different shooting on the best goalies in the world.
“Guys have played a thousand games in this league. Coming into next year, I know what I have to do; it’s going to be a big offseason for me.”
Botterill explained the focus of that offseason. “Understanding routes a little bit more, watching video. More importantly, getting his body physically stronger.”
The Kraken GM has no doubt Catton will, unlike that loose puck against the Golden Knights, get there. “You’re always concerned about a 19-year-old playing in the National Hockey League. His first few games, Philadelphia and Washington, physical teams, he got belted around.”
Catton confirms, “Getting hit by (6-foot-4, 225 pound Capitals forward) Tom Wilson was one for sure. That hurts.”
Botterill liked what happened after contact. “Did he win every battle? No. The thing that excited me about Berkly, he stuck his nose in there and went right back at it. He handled himself in there.”
2026-27 Kraken Resolution: Converting Chances
For a forward who scored a combined 92 goals his last two seasons in junior, limited NHL success was another learning experience. “It’s there for you on the table, 100%. That’s the frustrating thing, too. Some nights, three or four decent looks and not score. I have to work on that and I will with my shot.
“Every summer I shoot thousands and thousands of pucks. I don’t think that’s an issue. It’s just now the mindset (that) every shot really matters.”
The native of Saskatoon, Sask. found a silver lining. “I got my fair bit of chances. I just didn’t bury them enough. The fact you’re able to get those looks, though, gives you confidence that you can find those areas, get those opportunities on your stick.”
Catton’s gregarious personality has been noted by Botterill. “We saw that with Berkly the day we drafted him (in 2024). When all the picks were in, in Vegas, we had a hospitality hour. And there’s Berkly sort of holding court with everybody.”
In Geoff Baker’s NHL.com profile, Kraken center Chandler Stephenson described Catton as “fun and happy-go-lucky.”
New Position, New Living Quarters
Although Catton played much of his rookie season on wing, Botterill says the team, “Sees him as a center” long-term. “That ability to be creative, to have the puck on his stick a little bit more, with speed through the middle.”
Those are welcome words for Catton.
“The wing this year was another challenge. I can play the wing and I’ve shown that. I want to be a player that you can throw on the wing or center. That’s a great attribute to have. But center has been my natural position. I understand that position more. Having the puck in the middle of the ice is one of my strong suits.”
One last item on Catton’s summer to-do list: finding a place to live. Since January, Catton has been bunking with teammate Stephenson, his wife and three young children.
“The first month or whatever, I was by myself. That was tough. Then, living with Chandler was so awesome. Having that family feel in the house was really comforting. I’m not sure what the living situation will be next year, but probably not with Chandler.”
To show how interconnected the hockey universe can be, Stephenson recalled coming full circle. Stephenson, now 32, as a rookie in 2017 was taken in by then-Capitals teammate Tom Wilson.
Hey, maybe Chandler can ask Wilson to go a little easier next time on his young teammate Berkly.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Goalie Prospect Kokko Elevated Game In Playoffs
