The 2026 NHL Draft proved to be a turning point for Finn Kearns, a defenseman whose scouting reports listed him at 468th among North American skaters and left him unranked by NHL Central Scouting. Yet the Seattle Kraken selected him in the fifth round, a move that surprised many but resonated with the team’s internal evaluators.
A Draft Surprise
Kearns’ combination of consistency, a heavy‑hit playing style and fearless attitude impressed the Kraken’s scouting staff during the evaluation process. Though he appeared in only 15 games for the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves during the previous season, spending much of it at St. Andrews College, his performance on the ice spoke louder than the numbers on a ranking sheet.
Looking Ahead
After signing his entry‑level contract, Kearns plans to return for a full OHL season with the Sudbury Wolves before enrolling at the University of Massachusetts. There, he intends to focus on building lower‑body strength, refining his skating speed and sharpening his puck‑handling abilities, aiming to translate his physical brand of defense into a more polished professional game.
More Than a Number
Beyond the draft position, teammates and coaches describe Kearns as one of the toughest players in his draft class, known for delivering big hits and playing with relentless effort. His intelligence and leadership on the rink have also earned him respect, suggesting that the Kraken may have secured a prospect whose impact extends well beyond raw statistical rankings.