Ten games into his college career, defenseman Chase Reid is showing why the Seattle Kraken chose him 7th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft.
On draft day, multiple analysts couldn’t fathom how Reid was still available for the Kraken to grab. The Michigan State blueliner is averaging 19:39 TOI, most of any Spartans skater. He leads the team in assists (8), and his one goal so far was a game-winner.
A freshman, Reid is already physically imposing at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. “He keeps the puck moving on the offensive end and seems to consistently make pretty mature decisions in the defensive zone, especially for a player who is still 18,” raved Sports Illustrated.
“He’s a fun kid to coach,” MSU coach Adam Nightingale said. “He’s got a smile on his face every day. He comes from a great family, he’s a super grounded kid and that’s really important.”
For his part, Reid still wants to get better. “The defensive side of my game needs some work. Finding my guy in the D-zone, killing plays in the neutral zone, keeping my gaps up, everything like that. For me, the offense takes care of itself.”
Kraken 6th Rounder Shakes Off Injury
Less heralded but still pursuing his own NHL dreams is Kraken 2022 6th round selection Barrett Hall (#15 in image at left).
It’s not just football and basketball players who can enter the college transfer portal. The 6-2, 195 pound forward is skating his senior season with Minnesota-Duluth, after three years playing home games 150 miles northeast at St. Cloud St.
When UMD made the 2 1/2 hour trip for a pair of games at St. Cloud St. this past weekend, Hall almost didn’t get to join them. In making a shot block against Miami of Ohio, Barrett got stung by a puck to his wrist.
But the Edina, Minnesota native wasn’t going to miss visiting his old stomping grounds. “It’s important to show up,” Hall said. “This was a big game for us. There’s not much that would have kept me off the ice.”
“He’s a big piece of our team,” Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin said.
With the Huskies, Hall had 24 goals and 50 assists in 105 games. Hall has another St. Cloud connection – he’s engaged to former SCSU women’s hockey forward Avery Myers.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Finish 0-for-Finland As PK Falters
