Updates On Three U.S. Kraken Prospects, & Maybe A Fourth
Above Photo: Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers, skating for Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
When it comes to nationality, Gabe Perreaut's birth certificate says one thing, but his heart says another.
As we discussed yesterday here, The Hockey News in its Draft Preview issue predicts the Seattle Kraken will take the talented right wing with the #20 pick in the first round.
Although Perreault is listed as from Sherbrooke, Quebec, he actually grew up outside Chicago. “I’m more American,” he told the Toronto Star. When he was offered the opportunity to join the U.S. National Team Development Program, “It was a no-brainer.”
If Kraken general manager Ron Francis invites Perreault to join Seattle at the NHL Draft June 28, he'll add to a growing group of American prospects.
Look no further than the first-ever Kraken draft choice. Center Matty Beniers, proud son of Hingham, MA, southeast of Boston, was chosen #2 overall in the 2021 draft. Centering Seattle's top line, Beniers scored 24 goals last season, and is finalist for the Calder Trophy (NHL rookie of the year).
For more info on Seattle's lesser-known U.S. prospects, we turned to THN's American Pipeline Podcast, hosted by Jacob Stoller and Sydney Wolf.
Here are Wolf's thumbnail sketches, covering Kraken draftees from 2021 and 2022.
Justin Janicke
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"He was playing for the US National Team Development Program for two full years. He just wrapped up his second year at Notre Dame.
"Notre Dame has been just sort of okay. He had 14 points in 36 games. I assume he'll get those four years of college hockey, get used to that level, maybe put up some more points.
"His older brother Trevor is an Anaheim prospect."
Ben MacDonald
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"He still has junior eligibility left. He is a Harvard commit, so that's where he'll be playing college hockey whenever he decides to go there.
"It was his first year playing juniors. He had 50 points in 52 games, third on his team in points. That's a really good sign. I'm not sure yet if he's going to Harvard this fall. I assume he will play a couple of years there before he ends up in the Seattle system."
Barrett Hall
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"He just wrapped up his year in the USHL. 45 points in 56 games. He could have played another year in the USHL. From what I hear, he's going to play for St. Cloud State next year.
"I think he's been playing on the wing, mostly, but he has center experience.I think he's going to be really fun to watch. His puck skills and handling are his big thing. Some of the goals I've seen him score on film look like cool goals."