On Saturday, Jan. 31, the Seattle Kraken announced rookie forward Berkly Catton will miss the next three games heading into the Olympic break.
Catton was injured during the Kraken’s last home game on Thursday, Jan. 29, when Seattle hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. Oliver Ekman-Larsson delivered a heavy hit to the 20-year-old, causing him to fall hard onto the ice. Catton was slow to get up but managed to skate off under his own power. He went straight to the tunnel for evaluation and did not return.
Catton played his first NHL game on Oct. 20 against the Philadelphia Flyers, and he recorded his first assist. He has played in 40 games with the Kraken this season, recording a total of 11 points, including five goals and six assists. He scored his first goal on Jan. 6 and didn’t stop there, scoring a second.Â
Catton has been a primary part of the Kraken’s bottom six. He has been a force to be reckoned with alongside Ryan Winterton and Jacob Melanson, two younger players who are now also getting their first real chance at NHL ice time.Â
With Catton coming out of the lineup, Tye Kartye will likely fill in for his absence. He has been a healthy scratch as of late, but currently has seven points in 37 games this season. Let’s hope that now that he is returning to the lineup, he can properly fill the hole that Catton is leaving on this team.Â
Catton is expected to be evaluated again following the two-week Olympic break. Hopefully, he will be able to rejoin the team soon and that his recovery goes well.Â
The Kraken are getting ready to take on the Vegas Golden Knights at 7 PM PT.
