True Recalled, Gourde in Protocol

The Kraken announced Saturday that forward Alexander True is moving to the NHL active roster. He was recalled from the team's American Hockey League affiliate Charlotte, where he topped the team in scoring with seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 22 games.
Center and alternate captain Yanni Gourde has entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocol. The two-time Stanley Cup winner has six goals and 10 assists for the Kraken in 22 games.

Gourde surprised even his coaches and GM Ron Francis by returning from a shoulder injury two to three months earlier than expected. He brings a fierce, all-out effort every game in all zones of the ice.
True was selected by Seattle in last July's expansion draft as the pick from the San Jose Sharks. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Denmark native has been playing top-line and power play minutes at center for the AHL Checkers.
True is familiar to Western Hockey League and Seattle Thunderbird fans. He played for the Thunderbirds for three seasons from 2014 to 2017, scoring 45 goals and adding 39 assists. He was part of the Thunderbirds' WHL title run in 2017, scoring 25 in the regular season and adding 12 goals in the postseason.
Local fans no doubt recall

to win the WHL championship. That 2016-17 Thunderbirds team included current NHL players, including forwards Mathew Barzal (New York Islanders) and Keegan Kolesar (Vegas) and Ethan Bear (Carolina).
True went undrafted and signed with San Jose as a free-agent after the title season.
He played next for the AHL San Jose Barracuda, where he recorded 28 points in his first pro season. He played 12 games for Sharks in 2019-20 and another seven this past season.
True, 24, impressed the coaching staff during training camp and preseason games. Like most young forwards, he might play center or wing when in the Seattle lineup. Playing wing can be an easier adjustment because the center typically goes deepest in the defensive end and carries more complex defensive assignments.
In early October, True was named to Denmark Olympic team along with NHLers Nicolaj Ehlers of Winnipeg, the Kraken's last opponent, and Oliver Bjorkstrand, who leads the Columbus Blue Jackets in scoring and he and his Blue Jackets teammate prepare to meet the Kraken Saturday night at Climate Pledge Arena. It is the first time Denmark has qualified for the Olympic tournament.
True has represented his home country in five world championship tournaments, including three consecutive seasons at the World Junior Championship. True was named captain for the 2017 tournament and earned the WJC Top-3 Player award in back-to-back seasons (2016 and 2017).