Seattle Kraken to seek exemption for top prospect Shane Wright

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Cooper Godin
September 4, 2023 (10:57)

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The Seattle Kraken found themselves in a bit of a pickle last season when it came to 2022 fourth overall pick Shane Wright.

Wright was getting limited minutes in the National Hockey League when he was in the Kraken lineup and was only allowed to play in the AHL on a conditioning stint. He was then assigned to Canada's World Junior team, before being returned to the Ontario Hockey League's Kingston Frontenacs, who traded him to the Windsor Spitfires.

The reason this happened is due to the NHL/CHL agreement and that Shane Wright was not eligible to play in the AHL, other than a conditioning stint, due to his age.

Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis said recently that if Wright doesn't make the NHL roster, they will seek an exemption to so he can play with the Coachella Valley Firebirds to continue his development, rather than going back to the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.

"General manager Ron Francis said Seattle will seek a bye so Wright can play in the AHL to continue his development. The best solution, however, remains for Wright to shine in training camp and in the preseason games and to convince the Kraken to keep him in the NHL."

Wright, a native of Burlington, Ontario, only appeared in eight games in the National Hockey League last season where he had two points (one goal, one assist), two penalty minutes and was a plus-four. After Windsor was eliminated from the OHL Playoffs, Wright was assigned to the AHL for the Calder Cup Playoffs and appeared in 24 games, helping Coachella Valley reach the Finals, putting up nine points along the way.