Kraken Defense Prospect Hammell Praised For "Strong Two-Way Game"

Everett Silvertips D-Man Recently Guested On THN Podcast

Listen up, Western Hockey League fan bases: Seattle Kraken defensive prospect Kaden Hammell says you're not quite up to the enthusiasm level of those that follow his Everett Silvertips.

Hammell, a 2023 5th round draft pick of the Kraken, recently shared time on the THN On The Dub podcast with Carol Schram and Adam Kierszenblat.

"They bring it every night," Hammell says of fans at Everett's Angel of the Winds Arena. "I always like to say, 'The best fan base in the Western League,' and I stand by that."

Hammell first experienced Silvertips crowds as an opponent. Before his trade to Everett at the 2023 deadline, the 6-1, 182 pound d-man was a member of the Kamloops Blazers. "The cowbells are crazy loud, so coming in as a visiting player with Kamloops, those cowbells can get in your head a little bit."

Besides now having 'Tips fans on his side, Hammell's relocation to the North Sound has allowed him to better showcase his talents. "Kamloops is a really stacked team," Kierszenblat says. 

The THN podcast host praised Hammell's "Strong two-way game. When he moved from Kamloops to Everett, you could really see that. At Everett, he's getting time on the power play, more penalty killing time. He's thriving in those roles."

Asked what parts of his skill set specifically need work, Hammell said, "I still think there's an offensive side to my game I can find a little bit more of. Making the right reads, being more patient with the puck."

A player Hammell enjoys watching is Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. A wise choice, in that Pietrangelo has won championships in Vegas and St. Louis, spent four years as captain of the Blues, and is on schedule to play his 1,000th NHL game later this season. 

(Another wise choice would be to not emulate Pietrangelo's 2023 playoff shenanigans against Edmonton and Florida.)

On the podcast with Hammell, Kierszenblat took a moment to discuss two other 2023 Kraken draft pick defensemen playing in the WHL.

Lukas Dragicevic, Tri-City Americans (2nd Round): "High risk, high reward pick." (Editor's note: Kierszenblat is referencing Dragicevic's conversion from forward to defense, and how ultimately effective he could be in his own end.)

"There's a little bit of difference to his game. He hasn't been putting up a staggering amount of points. He decided he was going to focus more on his defensive game, his physical game this year. This is real positive for his development."

Caden Price, Kelowna Rockets (3rd Round): "Really strong on the breakout; can be that playmaker from the point. He can play physical and separate players from the puck. He's a major part of that Kelowna team."