When we take a look back at this past season for the Carolina Kraken and their notable rookies their is one player who many thought wouldn't make as big of an impact as he did this season. Drafted in the middle of the second round, with the 18th pick, The Carolina Kraken selected Lucas Raymond. Raymond was coming into the draft with not a lot of hype behind him, besides his size, but the Kraken saw a player they could move off of the wing and make a big impact at the faceoff dot. When Raymond was drafted by the Kraken it was agreed on that he would spend training camp and the off-season before his rookie year making the transformation and I think overall the Carolina Kraken was more than pleased with the results.

As the S59 season got underway, Raymond had a slow start as most rookies do, but even with that slow start, Raymond was able to put together a very successful rookie campaign even while learning a new position. Even with all the extra work going into working on winning draws and tightening up his defensive game down low in the zone, Raymond was able to muster a .45 point per game percentage. On the Season Raymond was able to use his big frame to cause havoc in front of the net and tally 12 goals, while also assisting on 18. As far as the other areas of the ice Raymond had an up and down season, Lucas was able to work up a total of 50 hits on the season while also picking up 23 blocks. The downfall being after 66 games, Raymond finished the season with a -8, a stat that he will surely need to improve on if he wants to be an anchor at center for the Kraken, and help them go deep on a playoff run.

As the S59 playoffs rolled around Raymond and the Kraken found themselves facing off against the Vancouver Whalers. Although the Kraken got off to a good start winning game one, things eventually went downhill as they lost the next 4 and were eliminated from the playoffs. Overall Raymond has a relatively quiet and to his standards a disappointing playoff run. Raymond only tallied 2 assists in the 5 games, while only putting 2 shots on never and registering only 2 hits. For the Kraken to truly be contenders in upcoming seasons, lackluster performances like this playoff run from Raymond will have to be a thing of the past.

In the end, Lucas Raymond had fully taken the turn to become a dynamic center in the SMJHL. Though it is not expected for him to go early in the SHL draft as he is still relatively an unknown as far as the SHL goes many believe that he has the ability to make an impact sooner than later. Overall Raymond's first season in the SMJHL was a successful one in which he was able to lead his rookie companions in points and hopes to build off this past season and hopefully help the Carolina Kraken make a deeper playoff run next season.

Approved, +5 TPE to @jjlangabeer