Kraken Prospect
Nature will take its course, but when a teenager is looking to make an NHL hockey team, he more often than not has to take matters into his own hands.
In the case of Seattle’s 2024 1st-round draft pick Berkly Catton, that’s exactly what he did, adding eight pounds this summer to his 5-foot-10-inch frame. His off-season work-outs also included battling against mature, full grown NHL’ers.
“It’s a different kind of breed going into the corner with an older guy, versus a guy in the Western League, so I think just learning to use my body properly and the strength I have, how to use that in the corners,” he said.
Catton is extremely poised and articulate. One could see how his leadership capabilities applied to being captain of the Spokane Chiefs, a role that will likely continue if he doesn’t crack the Kraken line-up. If the club deems him worthy coming out of training camp, he can play up to nine NHL games this season before being sent back.
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan will continue trying to grow, literally, into the NHL role.
“I’ve never really gained five pounds in a month,” he said. “I put on a pound here, a pound there, so I’m at 180 now. I think when I came here (last year) I was 172 or 173. So, in just a year and a bit. I’m putting on weight steadily and I think it just comes with getting older too. It’s easier to put on weight and I’m feeling stronger.”
Catton will have to beat out Shane Wright or durable 32-year-old Freddie Gaudreau to earn a regular spot up the middle of the Kraken line-up. That’s unlikely, particularly with Gaudreau being a face-off and shoot-out specialist. Or Catton could start on the wing. The club has options as the fourth line is wide open to competition.
Prior to the on-ice portion of rookie camp getting started on Thursday, the regular, veteran Kraken players continued their unofficial pre-camp skates in the morning. The younger guys had a chance to watch the older guys in their informal scrimmage.
“It’s a long process, nothing’s going to happen overnight, but seeing that, just being in this environment, it’s been my dream since day one, so seeing those guys out there inspires me, pushes me to be in a position here soon.”
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