Camp Concludes with Notable Impressions
The Seattle Kraken’s annual development camp wrapped up this week, leaving a modest but telling impression on the organization’s future roster. Prospects gathered at the Kraken Community Iceplex, where a few thousand season ticket holders watched an intrasquad scrimmage known as the Stucky Cup.
Among them, 2026 second‑round pick Casey Mutryn kept a busy schedule that left little time for conversation with his mother, yet he eagerly anticipates turning 18 and enjoying a rare stretch of free time after the camp’s final day.
Blake Fiddler, the 2025 second‑round selection, used the opportunity to sharpen both his defensive positioning and skating speed, noting clear improvements over the previous year’s camp.
The coaching staff, including head coach Tony Granato and development coordinator Cory Murphy, observed the players’ progress while also guiding them through a pivotal decision: whether to pursue college hockey, junior hockey, or the newly accessible CHL‑NCAA pathway.
With the NCAA now permitting CHL players to compete, prospects can weigh a lighter college schedule — fewer games but more focused practice — against the grind of a full junior lineup that offers continuous on‑ice experience.
Ultimately, the choice hinges on each player’s development goals, and the Kraken’s staff emphasized that both routes can accelerate growth when aligned with an individual’s needs.