Seattle Kraken Sign Ty Nelson to Entry-Level Contract

SEATTLE, Wash. - May 11, 2023 -Today, the Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) announced that they have signed defenseman Ty Nelson to a three-year, entry-level contract ($925,000 AAV). Nelson is expected to join the Coachella Valley Firebirds, who are set to face off against the Calgary Wranglers in the first game of their third-round series tonight.

"Ty earned meaningful minutes in every situation this past season and we're happy to officially welcome him to the Kraken organization," said Seattle Kraken General Manager Ron Francis. "He was one of the OHL's top scoring defensemen, led all league skaters in playoff points and we're looking forward to him continuing his progress with our organization."

Nelson, 19, spent the 2022-23 season with the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He set OHL career highs in goals (24), assists (52), points (76) and games played (67) and finished the year ranked third on both his team and among all OHL defensemen in scoring. His 76 points set a North Bay franchise record for most points by a defenseman in a single season. Nelson added 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in 20 playoff games, leading all OHL skaters in scoring and helping the Battalion reach the third round of the OHL Playoffs. Nelson's playoff run included recording an 11-game point streak from April 5 to April 23, which was tied for the longest postseason point streak during the 2023 OHL Playoffs.

The five-foot-10, 203-pound defenseman has totaled 127 points (33 goals, 94 assists) in two OHL seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23), both with the North Bay Battalion. He earned OHL All-Rookie Second Team honors after recording 51 points (nine goals, 42 assists) and leading all first-year players in assists. His 51 points led all rookie defensemen in 2021-22 and were good for fifth among rookies in scoring.

The Toronto native was originally selected by the Kraken in the third round (68th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft.