Seattle Kraken Draft Shane Wright 4th Overall
The Seattle Kraken may have gotten the best player in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, selecting Shane Wright fourth overall.
In a shocking twist of events, the Seattle Kraken are ending the weekend after selecting one of the best players of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to the festivities, Shane Wright was the consensus number one pick. However, Juraj Slafkovsky’s quick rise to popularity made him the desire of the Montreal Canadiens. The draft continued on an odd trajectory until Shane Wright fell right into the grasp of Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis.
In hindsight, the second and third overall picks make sense. With Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier down the middle, New Jersey, picking second, needed to find a top-pair quality defenseman. They took the best one of the draft in Simon Nemec. The Arizona Coyotes at number three also passed on Wright, opting for Logan Cooley. Another solid choice considering the comparisons made between him and Clayton Keller.
Then, the Seattle Kraken were on the clock. Many suggested Seattle should address their needs on the blueline. However, with Shane Wright still available, Francis needed to decide if he wanted to draft the best player still on the board. And that he did, selecting Shane Wright with the fourth overall selection in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Who Is Shane Wright?
Date of Birth: January 5, 2004
Age: 18
Place of Birth: Burlington, Ontario
Position: Center
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 198 pounds
NHL Comparison: Patrice Bergeron
What Wright can do for Seattle
Shane Wright is a competitive two-way forward with an excellent shot. He is a dynamic player who was on every scout’s radar for several seasons due to his productivity and driven nature. Wright was the CHL and OHL Rookie of the Year in 2019-20. His success continued into the international spotlight, leading Team Canada to a gold medal in the U-18 World Junior Championships in 2021.
Wright has been compared to John Tavares, and some even liken him to Connor McDavid. However, the most similar comparison would likely be Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron. Wright has excellent hockey sense and plays well in all zones. His offensive instincts are unparalleled to anyone else in his draft class.
His skating leaves room for improvement, but Wright makes up for it with his explosive goal-scoring and quick shot. While the scoring is definitely an upside, especially for the Seattle Kraken, the center can also step in as a crafty playmaker when the moment arises. He controls the pace of the game and is always thinking one step ahead, thanks to his incredible hockey IQ and elite vision.
Even though he’s a point producer, his defensive game is excellent. Wright uses sound positioning and provides pressure on the rush. He is also decent in the faceoff circle, consistently improving each season. On top of everything else, Wright has been a solid penalty killer for his team as well.
Seattle Kraken Sign Shane Wright to an Entry-Level Contract
Following the draft, the Seattle Kraken signed their newest addition to a three-year entry level contract. With training camp on the horizon, this gives Wright an opportunity to impact the Seattle Kraken’s roster immediately if he impresses the coaching staff.
“It was the overall fit and what the organization is building to. They are a new team, so they don’t have as many prospects in the system as some other teams do. I feel it’ll just give me a lot more opportunities, stepping in to make a difference right away. The potential ability to be part of a situation and be a building block and a huge piece in their team and the organization for the future was something that really excited me. Now that it finally worked out this way, I couldn’t be happier.” –Shane Wright
After ending their inaugural season with the 29th best record, the Seattle Kraken could definitely use his talents. Alongside last year’s second overall draft pick, Matty Beniers, the two will be an unstoppable duo for the foreseeable future.
The Seattle Kraken have plenty to look forward to. Francis redeemed himself a little bit with this pick, but Kraken fans should thank Kent Hughes, Tom Fitzgerald, and Bill Armstrong for not making the “Wright” choice on draft day.
“This is a big day for the Kraken. Shane’s junior career speaks for itself and his skill and hockey sense in all three zones are special for someone his age. We see him as an important part of our future and are excited to officially sign him to his first NHL contract.” – Ron Francis
Welcome to Seattle, Shane! We really think you’re going to like it here.