Kraken Youth Being Served On & Off Ice As Season Winds Down

Rookies Ryan Winterton, Logan Morrison Back On 4th Line Vs. Anaheim

Even as the Seattle Kraken play in the present - rematching Thursday at Climate Pledge Arena against the Anaheim Ducks - they're preparing for their future.

Seattle signed 2023 2nd draft pick Lukas Dragicevic to an entry-level contract with an AAV of $950,000. When that contract kicks in next season, the defenseman will be given an amateur tryout with the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds.

From a Kraken press release, quoting general manager Ron Francis: "Lukas’ WHL career has already reached historic feats, and we are looking forward to seeing him take the next step in his development."

Francis was referencing Dragicevic's 27-consecutive-game point streak, the longest for a WHL defenseman since 1997.

Dragicevic scored 14 goals and 36 assists this season as an alternate captain with the WHL Tri-City Americans. His 50 points ranked 15th among all WHL blueliners, and marked the second consecutive year in which the converted forward has reached the 50-point plateau.

One day earlier, the Kraken signed college free agent Lleyton Roed, a forward from Bemidji State University to his own three year, $950K AAV deal. The Hobey Baker Award nominee will spend the remainder of 2023-24 with the Firebirds on an amateur tryout contact.

Can undrafted players actually reach the NHL? Ask Kraken center Yanni Gourde, who's played 534 games without ever being drafted. Or winger Tye Kartye, who burst on the Kraken scene in last year's playoffs and earned a regular spot this season.

Or how about Logan Morrison, who made his NHL debut Tuesday and is slated for game number two tonight. 

Morrison and fellow Firebirds rookie callup Ryan Winterton played well on Seattle's 4th line in the victory over the Ducks, the subject of today's Kraken Reaction video.