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***Ragnar*** · 12-18-2023, 08:47 PM

The Carolina Kraken, currently a middle of the pack team in the SMJHL, currently appear to be in somewhat of a rebuild, or I guess a retool would be a more accurate term. With only six players from S73 or early, the team has a ton of young players, with nine players who will enter the SHL draft in season 75. Among those taken in the season 74 SMJHL draft, defenseman Olivija Agate was their first first round pick, going second overall. Agate is already making a big splash as a rookie in the SMJHL with 6 goals and 13 assists, good for 19 points in 36 games so far this season. Going eighth overall was another defenseman, Ongo Gablogian, who is just behind Agate in points with two goals and 13 assists, making 15 points. Both players, who happen to be defense partners this season, are a -5 on the season so far. The Carolina Kraken’s second round pick, right winger Jack “Jumpshot” Keigan, was also a great choice, as he is proving to be a good choice with his 19 point campaign so far. The Kraken’s fourth and fifth round picks, Mathias Olivera and Vincent van Gogh, are both contributing meaningfully as well, with 13 and 17 points respectively. To be able to draft players that are contributing all the way in to the fifth round of the draft is huge, and bodes extremely well for the future. Pair these players with 7 players on the team who were drafted last season, including right winger Cobb O’Corn who is currently scoring at a point per game pace, and you have a recipe for success and some insurance to make sure the team is staying young and fresh. Additionally, the veterans are showing true leadership and leading by example, two season 73 players, Rence Sykut and Betzee Nickleback, lead the team in points with 53 and 45 points respectively, which is well over point per game and amongst the top in the league for scoring. Going back in time another season, and you will see the leadership does not stop with the Season 73 players. Two defenseman from Season 72, Westley Kirkpatrick and Lazer Gato, are leaders in multiple categories amongst defensemen including goals, points, and shots blocked. Also, the Carolina Kraken’s goaltending core is extremely young. The current starter, Denebor Milasch, was drafted last season and is carrying most of the workload the season. The back up, taken in this past draft, Stan Free, is also showing promise and the future appears bright for the goalies.

Overall I would say that the future for the entire Carolina Kraken team looks like it is extremely bright. This is a very young and exciting team, and it seems like the only place to go from where they are right now is up. With some extremely talented mentors who are going to unfortunately be called up either at the end of this season or the end of the next, it is up to these rookies to step up and find success in the league, and I think the Carolina Kraken management has done a stellar job in ensuring they got the right people for the job.