A Long Road to the NHL
Curtis Douglas entered the NHL draft in 2018, selected 106th overall, a moment that marked the beginning of a long road toward the league's biggest stage.
He spent two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League and four in the American Hockey League, honing his size, strength and willingness to engage physically with opponents.
His NHL debut came in the 2025‑26 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he skated for five minutes on opening night against the Ottawa Senators and subsequently appeared in 29 more games, contributing two assists.
Over the next few years Douglas navigated a series of moves, signing with Toronto in March 2022, being traded to Arizona for Conor Timmins in November 2022, and later shifting to Utah before a waiver claim brought him back to Tampa Bay in October 2025.
During his stint with the Lightning he recorded two assists, but it was his reputation for grit that stood out, highlighted by a willingness to drop the gloves on his very first NHL shift.
A New Chapter in Seattle
A brief claim off waivers by Vancouver in March 2026 saw him appear in 14 games, adding a goal and an assist before he returned to the free‑agent market.
On July 1, 2026, Douglas inked a two‑year deal with the Seattle Kraken, a move that General Manager Jason Botterill described as adding size and a strong physical presence to the forward group.
The contract, valued at $1.25 million per year on average, reflects the Kraken’s confidence that his experience and willingness to battle in the corners will complement the team’s emerging core.
As he prepares for the upcoming seasons, Douglas expressed excitement about joining a club that values toughness and community engagement, signaling a new chapter in his career.