Kraken forward Jacob Melanson has a chance to join Ichiro Suzki as Seattle players who are single-season hit kings.
Ichiro, of course, did it with his bat, 262 hits for the Mariners in 2004. That surpassed George Sisler’s 257, a record which had stood for 84 years.
The NHL, unfortunately, has kept official stats on its version of hits only since the 2007-08 season. The ice sport’s single-season hits leader is Kiefer Sherwood, 462 for the Vancouver Canucks in 2024-25. Perhaps tired of getting knocked around by their Pacific Division rival, the San Jose Sharks traded for Sherwood last January.
Here are the top hit seasons since the NHL began keeping track.
- Kiefer Sherwood (VAN), 2024-25: 462 in 78 games (5.9 per game)
- Yakov Trenin (MIN), 2025-26: 413 in 82 games (5.0 per game)
- Jeremy Lauzon (NAS), 2023-24: (4.8 per games)*
* Lauzon had 196 hits in 53 games with the Kraken in 2021-22. Is it a coincidence that all three heaviest-hitters at one time played for the Nashville Predators, AKA “Smashville?”
Kraken Heavy Hitter ‘Impacts The Game’
Melanson, 23, just signed a three year, $4.35 million contract extension. What sealed the deal was 36 high-energy games on the 4th line in Seattle last season, punishing the opposition with 188 hits. That’s 5.2 per game, higher even than Lauzon or Trenin. Melanson racked up those numbers averaging just 9:22 TOI per game.
Melanson, quoted by TSN about the extension: “I’m feeling awesome. My fiancé and I are over the moon to have the deal done and be back in Seattle for another three years. It’s an amazing fan base.”
Coachella Valley Firebirds VP Troy Bodie kept track as Melanson’s Seattle hits kept coming. “It’s a bit outrageous, but not surprising to those who know his game,” Bodie told The Desert Sun. “There’s different ways to impact the game and its not always with your stick.”
Is it a problem that Melanson scored two goals and five points in his 36 games? Not necessarily. Offense isn’t foreign to the Amherst, Nova Scotia native. He scored nine goals and 19 points in 28 games at Coachella Valley last year, and once had a three goal, three assist game in the QMJHL.
Significantly, none of the trio of hit leaders has been expected to be a major offensive contributor.
- Sherwood: 134 points, 337 NHL games (13:40 career avg. TOI)
- Trenin: 120 points, 457 NHL games (13:36 career avg. TOI)
- Lauzon: 58 points, 384 NHL games (17:34 career avg. TOI)
Instead, these players not only carved a spot in the NHL, but stayed there, by rocking opponents and clearing space for teammates. This model could provide Melanson a similarly healthy NHL career, even as the Kraken reshape and improve their roster.
It’s a message he shared with other prospects while playing for the AHL Firebirds.
“I was trying to teach those guys you can still make it up to the NHL even if the points aren’t coming. It’s about hard work, using your physicality as a strength.”
Hits Have Costs
Despite playing less than half this past season in Seattle, Melanson’s 188 hits led the team, and ranked 31st in the entire NHL. “I don’t know how sustainable it is, because it puts such a toll on your body,” observes Bodie. “But he’s doing what he has to do to earn a spot, and it’s working.”
The Kraken 5th round pick in 2021 has already suffered a broken collarbone twice in juniors, and broke his leg with the Firebirds during 2024-25.
Here’s one encouraging sign of how the 6-foot-1, 207 pound forward is already following the example of the veteran trio: keeping his hits clean. Sherwood took 35 PIMs in his record-hits season, Trenin 38 PIMs in his, Lauzon 98 PIMs in his. Melanson, in his 36 Kraken games, took 32 PIMs – that averages to about 72 over a full season.
Kraken Forward ‘Old School’
Way back when the Kraken called his name at the draft, a teenage Melanson said he modeled his game after Tom Wilson and Brad Marchand – you know, the ones opposing teams and fans hate, but that you secretly wished played for your team.
“I am the kind of player you don’t see very often any more,” he said to The Northern Light in 2022. “I’m kind of old school. I like to play physical.”
Earlier Kraken:
— Simmer’s Holiday 9; Bad Signings? A remembrance, Trivia
