The Seattle Kraken have loaned rookie centre Shane Wright to Team Canada for the World Junior Hockey Championship, Hockey Canada announced on Thursday.
The move comes one day before selection camp starts for Canada in Moncton, N.B.
The tournament starts on Boxing Day in Halifax and Moncton.
Seattle's decision comes as no surprise as Wright has seen limited time after being picked fourth overall in this year's NHL Draft.
Wright scored his first career NHL goal earlier this week against the Montreal Canadiens, who passed on taking Wright No. 1 overall in the draft after he was projected as the top pick for much of the season.
The native of Burlington, Ont., has one goal and one assist in eight games with the Kraken. He also had four goals in five games in a conditioning stint with Coachella Valley of the AHL.
Wright did not play in the rescheduled world juniors this past summer in Edmonton. He was part of the team at the December tournament last year, but that event was called off after two games because of COVID-19 concerns.
He played in the 2021 under-18 championship alongside Connor Bedard and tied his teammate for second in points with 14 (nine goals, five assists)
Wright is the second NHLer to be loaned to Team Canada. The Los Angeles Kings loaned defenceman Brandt Clarke to Canada earlier this week.
After the tournament, the Kraken will have a decision to make on Wright. A player's first year of his entry-level contract kicks in if he plays 10 games, taking him closer to eventual free agency.
Wright is not eligible to play a full season in the AHL. The Kraken could return him to the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs, who likely would take a hard look at trading the star centre to a 2023 title contender.
The Frontenacs are bidding to host the 2024 Memorial Cup.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.