The Seattle Kraken currently have four prospects playing in the OHL, David Goyette (SBY), Carson Rehkopf (KIT), Ty Nelson (NB), & Eduard Sale (KIT).
Since joining the National Hockey League, the Seattle Kraken have picked a lot of their draft selections from the CHL.
The Seattle Kraken are well represented in the OHL, with four drafted prospects currently playing in the league. Not only are these players succeeding in the OHL, but they are among the best players in the league.
David Goyette, Sudbury Wolves (Drafted 2nd Round in 2022)
Sudbury Wolves captain David Goyette is currently tied for the league lead in points, with 84 in 50 games. Goyette has become a dual at centre and on the wing this season, adding to his utility as a player. We expected Goyette to be one of the best players in the OHL this season, and he has been on par with those expectations.
Goyette is a high-end playmaker, and he makes the players around him better. His combination of quickness and puck handling skills allows him to attack in a multitude of ways. He also plays a reliable two-way game.
It is difficult to see the 2004-born, second rounder returning to the OHL next season, as he will likely follow in the footsteps of other Kraken prospects and head to Coachella Valley (AHL). Goyette has established himself as one of the top prospects in major junior, and he is turning out to be a steal of a pick in the second round.
Carson Rehkopf, Kitchener Rangers (Drafted 2nd Round in 2023)
Talk about a breakout season for Carson Rehkopf, as he has put last year's inconsistency to bed. Rehkopf was an inconsistent offensive player last year, but this season, his 40 goal campaign has spoken for itself.
Rehkopf has the potential to be a high-end goal scorer at the professional level, potentially in that 30-40 range. His shot is absolutely lethal and it continues to catch goaltenders off guard. He has the deceptiveness and hands to curl in his shot and change the angle before he releases it.
A lot of the Kitchener Rangers' success this season can be attributed to Rehkopf's play and ability to be a factor on a nightly basis. He is also looking like a steal since being selected in the second round last year.
Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion (Drafted 3rd Round in 2022)
Ty Nelson is a very unique defensive prospect. He's just 5-foot-10, but he plays a much bigger game. Nelson has a tough, physical edge to his game, and he likes to play the "rat" role. He likes to get into the heads of opponents, and he has become quite a master at it. Being difficult to play against has become a coveted skill in the NHL, and Nelson has that.
Outside of his physical edge, Nelson is a high-end offensive defenceman who likes to shoot the puck a ton. He has 41 points in 37 games this season, slightly lower than his production last season. It appears that he has begun to focus more on his defensive game and maturing his all-round play.
Eduard Sale, Kitchener Rangers (Drafted 1st Round in 2023)
The most recent addition to the OHL is Czech forward Eduard Sale, who spent last season playing in Czechia's top league. He came over to the OHL as an import draft pick of the Barrie Colts, who traded him ahead of this year's trade deadline. Sale has now joined fellow Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf in a Rangers jersey, as they will look to fulfill a lengthy playoff run.
Sale has had some issues translating to the North American game. He has had trouble finding and creating space with the puck, and he seems to drive into traffic a lot. This has slowly improved over the course of the season, but he is still a project that will take some time.
Once he can adapt to the tighter, quicker game, he will be producing at high rates. Sale is a high end finisher and he is able to make plays/decisions quickly.