Seattle Kraken: 2022 Top 10 Under 25
#7: Ville Ottavainen, RD – 20 yrs old, 6’5″, 216lbs – 4th round pick of the 2021 NHL draft
With his NHL frame, Ville Ottavainen has the size to be a successful NHL defenseman. Initially selected to Finland’s World Junior team in December 2021, the tournament was postponed due to COVID-19. When the tournament resumed in August, the Kraken opted to keep him off the roster to protect him from injury.
The fact he was good enough to land on Finland’s WJC team indicates the kid is solid. This year Ottavainen will play for Liiga team Jyp as he continues to build on his speed while also adding some muscle to his bones. Look for him to be a great replacement once the Kraken moves on from Jamie Oleksiak – be ready to call him Big Rig 2.0.
#6: Tye Kartye, C – 21 yrs old, 6’1″, 198-pounds – Undrafted
The Seattle Kraken found a potential diamond in the rough in Tye Kartye. The Kingston, ON native, is coming off a career year in which he scored 45 goals and 34 assists in 63 games and another 9 points in 10 playoff games.
He will play for the Coachella Firebirds this season. Be prepared to see his name on the scoresheet often. Kartye dominates all areas of the ice and spent 2020-21 developing his speed, agility, and honing shot accuracy. Expect him to play big minutes for Coachella and the Kraken to give him a real look in the next year or two.
Ron Francis announcing earlier today: 20-year old forward Tye Kartye ("Carr-tee-yay") has signed his entry level deal.
He is:
🔹Used in Soo's 1-3-1 PP, bumper position (requires high hockey IQ)
🔹Tied for 3rd in the OHL: 33 goals #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/ZbPbkyFVvx— Mike Benton (@Benton_Mike) March 1, 2022
#5: Ryker Evans, LD – 20 yrs old, 6’0″, 192lbs – 2nd round pick of the 2021 NHL draft
Ryker Evans was the first defenseman the Seattle Kraken drafted. Watching him on tape, it’s easy to see why they did. Not a puck-carrying type defenseman. Evans is more of a give-and-go player. Look for him to pile up the secondary assists as he looks to connect with his forwards on breakout passes.
Another bonus is that he has leadership potential, having worn the Regina Pats “A” over the past two seasons. Evans logged a career-high 96 penalty minutes last season, an indication that he isn’t afraid to stand up for his peers. This is a great skill to have as the Firebirds look to establish an identity in their inaugural season.