Is There an NHL Draft in Here?

That's wrap for our running story coverage. Check back shortly for NHL Draft wrap story featuring perspectives from Ron Francis, Kraken GM, and Robert Kron, director of amateur scouting.

2:30 p.m.

American U18 Forward 7th Rounder for Kraken

Justin Janicke is the final choice for Seattle in the franchise's first-ever NHL Draft. He is a left-shooting forward who played 61 games as part of the U.S. National Development Program's U18 squad, scoring 16 goals and adding 16 assists.
He is known for high-end offensive moves and a commitment to forechecking and funneling opponents away from the middle of the ice. Working on consistency will definitely be on his checklist of improving next season. He is committed to play for Division I Notre Dame.
1:45 p.m.

Seattle Goes Goalie in Round 6

Semyon Vyazovoi is the Kraken's selection for Round 6. He plays for his hometown Ufa, Russia, juniors team in that country high-qualiry competitive league. He's also played for the Russian national team the last three seasons at U16, U17 and U18.
His Russia Juniors record this past season was 14-9 with a 2.06 goals-against average and .939 save percentage. He played six games at U18, notching a .965 save percentage.
1 p.m.

Kraken Picks Quebec Forward in 5th Round

When Jacob Melanson was traded from Quebec Remparts to Acadie-Bathurst Titan during the middle of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he was looking for a fresh start. The first half of his draft-eligible season was marred by shoulder injuries.
It worked out. The 5-11, 190-pound Melanson came on strong for his new team despite joining a roster with five potential 2021 draft choices, including Cole Huckins selected by Calgary in the third round. He scored eight goals and added 11 assists in 19 games, then notched three more point in five postseason.
Along with his scoring, he is regarded as a physical forward who can rack up hits to set a tone for teammates.
12:45 p.m.

Hughes Brothers Make History

When the New Jersey Devils selected USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 defenseman Luke Hughes fourth overall Friday night, he joined brothers Quinn (No. 7 in 2018 to Vancouver) and Jack (No. 1 in 2019 to New Jersey) as early first-round selections in the NHL Draft. They are the first American family with three siblings all selected in the first round of the NHL Draft.
Stick tap to the always-on-it NHL PR squad: Only two other families, both from Canada, featured three or more siblings all taken in the first round of an NHL Draft: The Sutter family Of Viking, Alberta, had four brothers qualify, including Ron (No. 4 in 1982), Rich (No. 10 in 1982), Brent (No. 17 in 1980) and Duane (No. 17 in 1979).
The Staal family from Thunder Bay, Ontario, sent a trio of sons to the NHL Draft microphone: Jordan (No. 2 in 2006), Marc (No. 12 in 2005) and Eric (No. 2 in 2003).

Home Countries, Origin Leagues

More fun facts from NHL PR: Fifteen first-round draft choices are from Canada, followed the U.S. (8), Sweden (6), Switzerland (1) and Russia (1).
The Ontario Hockey League placed five players in the first round, even without an OHL regular season. Sweden also landed five first-round picks, followed by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (4), WHL (4), Big 10 (3), USHL (3), U.S. National Team Development Program (3), AJHL (1), GOJHL (1), Russia (1) and Sweden Jr. (1).
11:35 a.m.

Kraken Picks Finnish D-man in 4th Round

The 99th overall pick and the Kraken's fourth selection of this historic first Draft is Ville Ottavainen, a 6-foot-5, 221-pound defenseman with a right-hand shot.
He play a season in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers during 2019-20, then returned to Finland to play last season when the Ontario league cancelled its schedule.
Here's a sound bite from Mike Farwell, color analyst for the Kitchener team and a popular local radio host: "One of the first things you'll notice about Ville is his skating. He's got a smooth and easy stride and it makes him a solid puck-mover. Ville's decision-making is also above average, quick and confident, seeing him make the right - even safe - play more often than not."
11:30 a.m.

More Insights about Ryan Winterton

Scouting reports on Winterton compare his style of play and tenacity to two-time, Stanley Cup-winning Tampa Bay center Anthony Cirelli, also selected in the third round back in 2015. The idea is he can grow into that type of performance at the NHL level.
Scouts like Winterton's passing skills, especially the short, quick passes to keep the play moving. He's equally adept at protecting the puck entering the offensive zone and/or driving to the net.
What impresses scouts most is Winterton's defensive prowess. He does a solid job cutting down passing lanes with "a long, active stick." He's one of the better faceoff men in the draft class, keeps himself between his man and the net on defense and is a regular shot-blocker.
10:01 a.m.

Kraken Picks Center Winterton in 3rd Round

With the 67th pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, the Kraken selected the No. 33-ranked North American skater, center Ryan Winterton of Hamilton in the Ontario Hockey League.
With the OHL season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of Winterton's teammates didn't face competition. But Winterton suited as one of 13 forward selected by Team Canada to play in the U-18 Men's World Championships earlier this year in Plano and Frisco, TX.
He's a two-way center who scouts love for his forechecking in the offensive zone and going deep into the defensive end to support his defensemen and goalie.
Winterton started this season rated "C" by NHL Central Scouting, indicated a later-round pick. But by January, even before the U-18s, Winterton move up to "B" as a prospect expected to go in the second or third rounds.
9:44 a.m.

Second-Round Pick Evans Still Growing?

More insights on the Kraken's second-round selection, Ryker Evans. Five years ago, he was 5-foot-3 and 110 pounds. Now at 5-11, 181 pounds, no doubt the Kraken hockey ops staff is hoping for my physical development.
That said, there's a lot to like about Evans. Scouts across the league agree he is one of the best skaters in this draft-a cornerstone of what the Kraken seek in prospects.
8:51 a.m.

Kraken Select D-Man Ryker Evans

With next and 35th pick, the Kraken war room unsettled the NHL Network analyst crew by selecting Ryker Evans, a 5-11, 180-pound defenseman from the Western Hockey League's Regina Pats.
Evans is what's known as a "re-entry" player since he went undrafted last summer. One point to keep in mind here is Evans is one year further into his development, which moves him up a year in terms on when he can play in the American Hockey League.
On a Zoom call with reporters, Evans seemed confident and not nearly as surprised as NHL Network commentators.
"Skating is strong suit of my game," said Evans. "I like to get the puck out of our zone, to give it and go, so we get those odd-man rushes [2-on-1 or 3-on-2]."
Evans said pandemic-shortened WHL season gave him a chance to "work on things I am never allowed to work on [so extensively] during the season." The tangible result: Evans, who is unafraid to join the offensive play, increased his point-per-game average from 0.5 to a full point-per-game performer this season.
8:30 a.m.

Early Surprise for Everett Fans

With the 34th pick and just the second pick Saturday morning, the Anaheim Ducks Everett Silvertips defenseman Owen Zellweger. He went a bit higher than expected but check back for Andy Eide's story about why the Ducks will be thrilled with the Silvertips player.
8:15 a.m.
Good morning, and let's make some picks. Stick with us for the Kraken choices and background capsules on each pick. Teams have three minutes to submit their picks.
At the draft's end, check back for a wrap of the weekend's selection from the perspectives of Ron Francis, Kraken GM, and Robert Kron, director of amateur scouting.