Spring Has 'Sprong'

The journey Daniel Sprong took to the NHL and now the Kraken is a road less traveled. He was born in Amsterdam in 1997. As a young boy, he fell in love with hockey in a country, the Netherlands, much more intense about soccer and speed skating.

His family packed up and moved to Montreal when Sprong was seven to find the youngster better development on the ice. Let's agree he must have been one solid seven-year-old performer - and that hockey-mad Montreal was a huge skate stride in the right direction.
Now Sprong finds himself in a Kraken jersey after
Monday's trade with the Washington Capitals
. Sprong moves West along with the Capitals' 2022 fourth-round pick and a 2023 sixth-round pick in exchange for forward Marcus Johansson, who returns to the franchise that drafted him in the 2009 NHL Draft's first round.
"I didn't expect [the trade] to happen, it was kind of a surprise," Sprong said. "I just think in every locker room you've got TSN on or NHL Network with the TradeCentre on.
"It got out there Marcus was coming [to Washington] but we didn't hear anything with the return. Then I just got pulled into the coach's office and got told that I was heading to Seattle."
Sprong flourished playing hockey in Montreal and caught the eye of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He began a junior career with the Charlottetown Islanders. He continued to impress a widening circle of scouts and team officials, scoring 69 goals over his first two seasons between 2013 and 2015. The family move was paying off.
"We wanted to give it a try and we fell in love with Montreal," Sprong said about the family relocation. "Hockey was going good and just got better and better. I am just really grateful my parents gave me that opportunity to make my dream come true."
Sprong was drafted in the summer of 2015 by Pittsburgh with the 46th pick overall and the Penguins' first choice in that draft. After making his NHL debut in 2015 right out of training camp, Sprong bounced around a bit and eventually landed via trade in Anaheim with the Ducks before being traded again to join Washington, where he scored 13 goals and notched seven assists in 42 games last season.
In 47 games with the Capitals this season, playing mostly in a fourth-line role, he's scored eight goals with six assists. But his puck possession numbers have been strong, plus he's shown he can consistently help drive play up ice.
"I'm an offensive player," he said. "I think I got a pretty good shot and I think I can be a threat offensively. The puck really hasn't been going my way this year, but there's been a lot of chances and good opportunities.
"I know I can score and produce in this league. I think I've shown that last year. I'm just excited to get to Seattle and play tomorrow [Tuesday] night."
Switching teams can be difficult but it helps that Sprong had previously played with Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak when both were with the Penguins.
Sprong has also been to Seattle already this season, playing in the Nov. 21 game with the Capitals at Climate Pledge Arena.
"It's a good fan base and the building gets pretty loud," Sprong said. "System-wise, we played against them once there and you know, it was a good game. Fast, fast pace, hardworking.
"I'm excited to bring my skill set to the team ... I think the last 20 games I just want to show what I can bring to the organization and finish off the year strong."
Kraken GM Ron Francis and his pro scouting staff like what Sprong can add to the Seattle offensive mix.
"Daniel brings some speed and creativity to our roster," Francis said. "He is a young player with some skills, so we can come in and give [those skills} a look in the last 19 games to see what he can do."
Sprong was flying to Arizona Monday to meet his new teammates ahead of Tuesday's matchup with the Coyotes. It was quite the whirlwind of a day and he'll end up playing a game for the Kraken before he even finds a place to live in Seattle.
"Just packed a suitcase, my hockey bag," Sprong said. "As long as my hockey bag gets to Arizona at the same time as me, I think that's the most important part. Then the rest will take care of itself. I'm excited for the opportunity and whatever role I'm going to get a chance to play. I'm ready for it."