Kraken select Shane Wright fourth overall in 2022 NHL Draft

The Seattle Kraken selected Shane Wright of the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs with the fourth-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Wright had been the projected No. 1 pick for most of the season, however he fell to the Kraken after the Montreal Canadiens selected Juraj Slafkovsky first overall, the New Jersey Devils took defenceman Simon Nemec second and USNTDP product Logan Cooley went to the Arizona Coyotes third.

The Burlington, Ont., native has been a top prospect ever since being granted exceptional status by the OHL as a 15-year-old.

Wright scored 32 goals and totalled 94 points in 63 games as captain of the Frontenacs this past season before adding 14 points in 11 playoff appearances.

“I’m an offensive player who’s super defensively sound and can be trusted in a lot of different situations,” Wright told Sportsnet of his playing style. “I think I’m someone who’s a smart player. I think the game at a high level, I understand situations on the ice and where the puck’s going, and I understand where my teammates are. I think I can score goals as well. I have a pretty good shot. I can make plays with my passing and my skating.

“I’m confident in myself, I’m confident in what I can do. I understand my game, I understand my strengths, my weaknesses, what I can do on the ice. I know where I have the most success and what I can bring to a team. I think it’s more a quiet confidence in that I know what I can do and the level I can play at.”

The Kraken went a disappointing 27-49-6 in the expansion franchise’s inaugural season, so general manager Ron Francis was happy adding a high-ceiling prospect like Wright.

Francis selected American forward Matty Beniers second overall one year ago with Seattle’s first-ever draft pick.

The Kraken entered the draft with 12 picks with which to work, including four second-round selections and three fourth rounders.