LATEST | Kraken to ask for an exemption regarding Shane Wright

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Cooper Godin
September 4, 2023 (12:48)

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Last season, Seattle Kraken top prospect Shane Wright found himself playing limited minutes in the National Hockey League. Due to the NHL/CHL agreement and Wright's age, he could only play with the Kraken or in the Ontario Hockey League.

Wright was then scratched for five straight games in November, which allowed him to be sent to the American Hockey League on a conditioning stint that could last for five or 14 days. When Wright's conditioning sting was up, he was assigned to Canada's World Junior camp ahead of the tournament in late December, before going to the OHL after winning the gold medal.

Going into the 2023-24 season, because of his age, Wright is still subject to the NHL/CHL agreement and that limits where he can play, as it's either Seattle or the OHL's Windsor Spitfires. But in a recent interview, Kraken General Manager Ron Francis said he will ask the NHL for an exemption so Wright can play for their AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds if he doesn't make their roster out of training camp.

"General manager Ron Francis said Seattle will seek a bye so Wright can play in the AHL to continue his development. The best solution, however, remains for Wright to shine in training camp and in the preseason games and to convince the Kraken to keep him in the NHL."

After Wright was eliminated in the OHL Playoffs, he saw more game action with Coachella Valley in the Calder Cup Playoffs and proved that he belonged professionally. He appeared in 24 games during the Firebirds' run to the Calder Cup Finals, tallying nine points (two goals, seven assists).

While the Kraken would ideally want Shane Wright on their opening night roster, it'll come down to how he performs during training camp and preseason games. If he plays well, then that's great for the Kraken, but if not, it could cause a tricky situation, especially if the NHL does not grant them an exemption.