© Chris Mast

SEATTLE — Berkly Catton wasted no time showing off his high-end offensive talent, dazzling in drills and scrimmages at his first development camp for the Seattle Kraken last week.

During the Kraken organization’s five-day camp, the 18-year-old center prospect, chosen as the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, made a lasting impact on the staff with his exceptional stickhandling skills and impressive playmaking abilities.

Kraken coach Dan Bylsma expressed his thoughts on the player’s performance in the recent scrimmages, stating, “In particular, towards the end, it was evident how dynamic he is. He possesses excellent playmaking abilities and shows quick reflexes with his stick. Watching him in the last game was truly enjoyable, as he flawlessly showcased his skills, abilities, and exceptional playmaking.”

As a 17-year-old, Catton, originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, played hockey across Washington State for the past two seasons. He excelled in his role as a player for the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League, leading the team with an impressive 116 points (54 goals, 62 assists).

Having made frequent trips across the Cascade Mountains from Spokane in the past two seasons to compete against the Seattle Thunderbirds and Everett Silvertips, Catton has gained a good understanding of the local hockey scene in the Emerald City. As a result, there is already a sense of familiarity between Catton and the Kraken, which he describes as a reassuring feeling upon joining Seattle’s team.

Catton expressed his enthusiasm for always playing in Seattle, highlighting the strong support for the Seattle Kraken even at Thunderbirds games. The significance of being selected by the Kraken was emphasized, exciting both Chiefs fans and Catton personally. Being constantly surrounded by the team and ultimately chosen by them was a remarkable experience.

The Kraken have recognized the benefits of acquiring local talent and showcased this strategy by choosing Catton in the initial round, and then further reinforcing their roster by selecting Everett forward Julius Miettinen in the second round (No. 40).

“We’ve had a decrease in our travel budget,” expressed Jeff Tambellini, the Kraken director of player development. “However, having Berkly Catton and Miettinen in close proximity is truly wonderful. The opportunity for them to witness our team play and become a part of our group is invaluable. As a result, the development staff is filled with excitement as we anticipate spending a significant amount of time with these individuals.”

In the Kraken system, there are numerous other players who participate in junior hockey for teams nearby in the WHL. Among them is defenseman Kaden Hammell, who also plays for Everett and has personally witnessed the destructive capabilities of Catton on the ice.

According to Hammell, Catton is an exceptional player. It’s ironic that my role was to stop him this year, but he truly is an outstanding player. I can’t find any weaknesses in his game. He has a remarkable ability to anticipate the game on the ice. He definitely poses a challenge for me as a defender.

Despite being aware of the numerous obstacles he must overcome to reach the NHL, Catton is confident in his abilities and hockey intelligence, believing that he will be able to make the jump in the near future.

“I believe that my intelligence alone will enable me to achieve success,” Catton expressed. “When I observe players like [Wyatt] Johnston on the Dallas Stars, I am amazed by how his ability to make subtle plays contributes significantly to his overall performance. I have that same capability within me, and I am confident it will have a similar impact.”