The 17-year-old center (6-foot, 185 pounds) is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. He's scored 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 12 games for Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League this season.
"He's ready, he's mature for his age, he plays the game the right way, is super skilled, can skate, is strong and his hockey IQ is through the roof," Kingston coach Luca Caputi said. "I believe he's ready for that next step and we're going to try to do as much as we can while he's around here to support him in any way, shape or form with the process. But I believe that he's ready for that step and will make that step."
Though Caputi, who played three NHL seasons (2008-11) for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs, is confident Wright will earn a role in the NHL sooner rather than later, Wright said he hasn't given it much thought.
"A lot of my focus right now is on the OHL, but it's definitely something that I should start probably looking into a little bit," Wright said. "But right now, my sole focus is the OHL and helping my team."
Never has a player from Kingston been picked No. 1. The highest was No. 3 in the 1993 NHL Draft (forward Chris Gratton, Tampa Bay Lightning) and the 2010 NHL Draft (defenseman Erik Gudbranson, Florida Panthers).
"I think Shane Wright can play in the NHL now. He's that good," Craig Button, TSN director of scouting, NHL analyst and a former NHL general manager, said in July. "It doesn't matter where you put him. He's excelling."
It's no surprise that Wright said he wants to make a difference each time he plays much like his favorite NHL player, Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron.
"I think that he's such a strong player at both ends of the ice," Wright said of Bergeron. "I have pretty high expectations for myself. I want to be a difference-maker, want to leave my mark on the ice and make sure I'm doing everything I can to help the team win."
Caputi said he likes the Bergeron comparison, and equates him to the captain of the Los Angeles Kings.
"Bergeron plays a 200-foot game, has the skill and can win face-offs while playing in all situations," Caputi said. "That's someone special. But I also think Shane has some Anze Kopitar, another franchise player, another captain who has the ability to make players around him better."
Wright said he knows his actions on and off the ice will play a big part in any future success and has a few goals in mind for this season.
"I want to get drafted in the summer, and as high as possible," he said. "Obviously, it's a goal for any kid growing up in Canada to get drafted. I'd also like to play for Canada at the World Junior Championship. I think that'd be an incredible experience for me, a dream come true and huge honor to be able to represent my country in that tournament."
The 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. Wright was one of the last players cut prior to the 2021 World Juniors. Canada lost the championship game 2-0 to the United States at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Jan. 5.
"Personally, it was tough for me to watch the team play knowing that I was so close to making that team," Wright said.
Wright said he feels more prepared heading into Canada's selection camp Dec. 9-12 in Calgary.
"The overall message when I was cut**
