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With the beginning of the NHL regular season in full swing, teams have finally solidified their rosters, composed of a mix of veterans and new talent. It’s always a special moment when a prospect finally lands a spot on an NHL roster. All of their hard work has finally paid off as they get to show off their skills to fans around the league. However, the journey to making the roster is not always linear, nor is it easy. One prospect who has faced obstacles to make it to the NHL is 2022 fourth overall pick Shane Wright.
Wright began playing hockey from an early age. It was soon apparent that the Burlington, Ontario native had a knack for the game, which was quickly observed by the major junior leagues in Canada. Wright was given exceptional status and allowed to enter the Ontario Hockey League draft at 15 years old, which is a year earlier than normal. He was picked first overall in the 2019 draft by the Kingston Frontenacs.
While with the Frontenacs, he quickly climbed to the top of the OHL record books, leading all rookies with 39 goals and 66 points during his first season, tying Connor McDavid’s output in eight fewer games. His second season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he stayed busy helping Team Canada win the gold at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championship. He not only led Team Canada as captain, but also tied for points leader over the course of all five games. Later that year, Wright was named captain of the Frontenacs, making him the youngest captain in the team’s history at 17 years old.
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After the 2021-22 OHL season, Wright was not only considered to be the top Canadian NHL draft prospect, but the top draft prospect in the world. Many considered it a no-brainer that Wright would be picked first overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. If not, he would at least be in the top three. However, draft day proved to be a shock. Wright was unexpectedly picked fourth overall by the Seattle Kraken, who were considered lucky to have him fall into their lap. Ecstatic Kraken fans expected Wright to bring much needed momentum and excitement to the team.
However, Wright had his struggles. During the 2022-23 NHL season, he scored one goal in eight NHL games before the Kraken decided to send him back to the OHL. For the 2023-24 NHL season, Wright came back to training camp hoping to make the official roster. Once again, he didn’t make the cut and was sent to the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. While with the Firebirds, Wright scored 22 goals and 47 points during 59 regular season games. During the Firebirds’ Calder Cup playoff run, he scored 13 points in 12 games.
Courtesy of Zak Krill
Following his strong season with the Firebirds, Wright is now ready to skate stride for stride with the Kraken. Training camp showed that he has matured tremendously, especially his intelligence in his playmaking on the ice. Another advantage that Wright has is his relationship with the Kraken’s new head coach Dan Bylsma, who coached him with the Firebirds last year. Bylsma knows what Wright is capable of and what motivates him, which will really help him shine in his first NHL season.
So, what will this season realistically look like for Wright? Well, he has already given everyone a glimpse of the talent that made him so special in his junior days. Just last week, Bylsma moved Wright up from the third line to the second line, where he will play alongside experienced wingers Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle. Playing alongside two veterans may be helpful in Wright’s adjustment to NHL-level play. Based on what he was capable of in the OHL and AHL, it is not unrealistic to say that Wright is capable of scoring 50 points and 20 goals this season. He will certainly get lots of time on the power play, and Seattle is expected to improve tremendously in their offensive output this year.
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The beginning of the 2024-25 NHL season is just the beginning of a successful career for this 20-year-old prospect. He has evolved from being a teenager in age and skill, to a mature player at home in an NHL lineup. He finally has a chance to prove all those who passed on him wrong, and it will be exciting to see how he cements his name in Kraken history. Though he isn’t eligible for a trophy to prove it, if he is healthy, he is well on his way to having a breakout first NHL season.
Edited by Jenna Mandarano
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