LAS VEGAS — The Seattle Kraken wrapped up the National Hockey League 2024 Draft with eight picks culminating in a "forward-centric" draft, according to the team.
During Friday night's Round 1, Seattle had the eighth overall pick. This year's draft took place at the Sphere in Las Vegas through Saturday, June 29 with Rounds 2-7.
During Round 1, Seattle Kraken picked 18-year-old Berkly Catton, center, from the Western Hockey League (WHL) Spokane Chiefs on Friday night.
Commentators called Catton "electric" and a smart, bright and mature player. At 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Catton produced 54 goals and 62 assists in the last Western Hockey League season. The pick was announced by Kraken player Matty Beniers, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft.
The Kraken has a new head coach, Dan Bylsma, and will be looking to make it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after coming up short in the 2023-24 season.
Rounds 2-7
The Kraken secured seven additional players on Saturday, the second day of the NHL Draft.
In Round 2, the Kraken had the 40th pick, selecting Julius Miettinen and the 63rd pick, choosing Nathan Villeneuve.
Miettinen is a 6-foot-3 center from the Everett Silvertips. In his first season playing in North America, Miettinen racked up 31 goals and 36 assists, according to the Kraken.
Villeneuve is a 5-foot-11 center from the Sudbury Wolves. The 18-year-old is a feisty and protective player, according to the Kraken.
Round 3 brought the Kraken’s 73rd pick of Alexis Bernier and the 88th pick of Kim Saarinen.
Bernier, a 6-foot-1 defenseman from Baie-Comeau Drakkar, is following in the footsteps of his father, who was also drafted into the NHL twice, the Kraken said.
Saarinen is a 6-foot-4 goaltender from Hämeenlinnan Pallokerho (HPK) in the Liiga. The Kraken said Saarinen has a “strong ability to track the puck” and had the best save percentage of any goaltender on his team last season.
In Round 4, the Kraken selected Ollie Josephson for the 105th pick. Josephson, 17, is a center from the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. The 6-foot player also played on Team Canada in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the Kraken said, with the Kraken’s first-round pick Berkly Catton.
In Round 5, the Kraken traded picks No. 169 and 201 to Florida, gaining the 141st pick. Clarke Caswell was the 141st pick. The 5-foot-11 left wing is from the Swift Current Broncos.
In Round 7, the Kraken’s final pick was Jakub Fibigr for the 202nd selection. The 6-foot defenseman arrives from the Ontario Hockey League’s Mississauga Steelheads.
Draft picks for the Seattle Kraken:
Round 1: 8th pick - Berkly Catton
Round 2: 40th pick - Julius Miettinen and 63rd pick - Nathan Villeneuve
Round 3: 73rd pick - Alexis Bernier and 88th pick - Kim Saarinen
Round 4: 105th pick - Ollie Josephson
Round 6: 141st pick - Clarke Caswell
Round 7: 202nd pick - Jakub Fibigr
Where to watch the 2024-2025 season
KING 5 recently announced a multi-year partnership with the Seattle Kraken to broadcast more than 70 games a season across western Washington.
Starting in September, fans will be able to watch preseason, regular season and postseason Kraken games that aren’t televised nationally for free over the air. Most of those games will air on KONG, and at least 15 games will air on KING 5.
As the official television partner of the Kraken, KING 5 will take fans behind the scenes with exclusive coverage led by sports director, Paul Silvi, and a weekly Kraken show, in addition to comprehensive coverage of the latest Kraken news across all platforms.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.