The Wright Call

On draft night, Kraken 2022 top draft pick Shane Wright received a text from 2021 first-rounder Matty Beniers within five minutes after GM Ron Francis announced Wright's name. Then, a bit later, Kraken veterans Yanni Gourde and Jordan Eberle phoned. Same goes over the ensuing 24 hours, when the young center heard by audio or text from alternate captains Adam Larsson and Jaden Schwartz, plus leading scorer Jared McCann.
The message from Gourde provides a good sample: "He said he's super excited for me to be part of the organization," said Wright during an exclusive draft night interview that ended when Eberle rang. "He said 'We're looking forward to playing with you.'"

This past Wednesday [July 20], Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak was attending "Smashfest," a table tennis charity event hosted by ex-NHLer Dominic Moore now in its 10th year raising more than $1.1 million to support concussion and rare cancer research. NHL.com writer Dave McCarthy asked Oleksiak about Wright going to Seattle with the fourth overall pick during the July 7 first round.
The question is natural enough. Wright is a household name and hero among Canada hockey fans, punctuated in 2021 when he scored two goals and added an assist to lead Team Canada to a gold-medal winning 5-3 victory over Russia at the International Ice Hockey Federation U18 World Championships. He scored nine total goals in that tournament, besting the previous record set by Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.
"I'm pumped," said Oleksiak about Wright. "I'm glad we were able to pick him up. I think he's an incredibly gifted player. He's earned it, definitely. I'm excited to be able to play with him starting in training camp."
At Kraken Development Camp earlier this month, fans attending no doubt noticed Wright and Beniers running through some drills together and making play after play on opposing teams in the mid-week scrimmage. As centers, the two franchise cornerstones are unlikely to play on same line (we'll see how the power play units mix) but it is not hard to imagine the two as teammates and friends who will both support and push each other, plus evolve into leaders over future NHL seasons.
Back to draft night: When Wright reached the stage in Montreal, Hockey Hall of Famer and Kraken GM Ron Francis was waiting with a handshake and some words. The moment could be one for the record books someday, with Francis, a No. 4 overall pick in the 1981 draft (also in Montreal!) tagging in 2022 No. 4 overall Wright, both centers from Ontario evaluated as 18-year-olds who are skilled and relentless in all zones.
"He said he and everyone was proud Seattle could select me and he's really happy I am part of the organization," said Wright when asked about the exchange on stage. "I couldn't be happier as well. Everything happens for a reason. I think it's a great fit for me. I'm just really happy to be picked by Seattle."

There are lots of reasons to identify the 2022 first-round pick as the perfect fit between player and NHL franchise. Kraken fans will see his skill set, elite hockey IQ and clutch play in all zones unfold in the months and seasons ahead. Much of the, ahem, "Wright fit," was evident by how much the elite juniors star smiled throughout the process of meeting media, league branding obligations and connecting with Kraken personnel.
Perhaps the best indicator might be Wright's poise when the Montreal Canadiens selected Slovak winger Juraj Slafkovsky No. 1 overall after years of Canada's media projecting Wright as the top 2022 pick. Sometime between the Slafkovsky selection and others drafted at No. 2 and No. 3, Wright reached out to touch his mom's arm.
"There were so many emotions," said Tanya Wright. "I distinctly remember Shane, reaching across to me and saying, 'I'm OK .... He was worried that I was worried. My kid was reassuring me, saying what he reiterated many times going into [Draft] week: 'I want to play in the NHL, that's my goal.' "
Wright knows Kraken assistant coach Paul McFarland from time together with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League. McFarland was Kingston head coach and general manager for Wright's junior team but never stepped on ice for an OHL game together because the 2020-21 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the two interacted frequently.
"Paul is such an intense guy and he's a competitive guy," said Wright about the prospect of a friendly face at development and training camps. "He wants to win. I want to win and I'm someone who's going to bring that winning attitude and mindset. Paul's a smart guy too. He understands hockey and knows how to get the best out of players."
None other than all-time great Wayne Gretzky called Wright on draft night too. First time they ever talked, "surreal and pretty cool" were Wright's descriptors about his surprise call.
"I mean, it was just some number on the phone," said Wright, who answered "hello" to then hear "Hi Shane, this is Wayne Gretzky." The so-called Great One had his own advice about Wright's fit with the Kraken.
"It was probably an hour after the draft," said Wright. "He called me just to tell me, "keep your head up, to keep working, to keep grinding. It's not about what number you go to, it's more about the situation you go to and the city you go to, the organization. He said keep working, earn your place in the team and show you're a good player [deserving to be] in the league and that you can make a difference."