The Seattle Kraken have announced that they have sent Shane Wright back to the OHL to join the Kingston Frontenacs. This is the best move for one of the most crucial prospects in the Seattle Kraken's system.

Wright finished his World Juniors tourney with 4 goals and 3 assists in 7 games played. He captained Team Canada to a Gold Medal and scored a goal in the Final against Czechia on his 19th birthday. Not a bad day for the young man.

Wright was not the flashiest player in the tournament (Bedard), nor did he look like the best player in the tournament from last year's draft (Cooley). Some might say that is disappointing but honestly I left the tournament feeling more confident than ever in the young centre. At 5 on 5 I would say Wright was the most responsible forward on the team. He played a steady 200 foot game and while his line wasn't scoring goals in droves they were the line that was counted on against the top opposition for every team that Team Canada faced.

While watching the tournament I heard someone compare Wright to Bo Horvat and the comparison started looking more and more apt. Horvat is one of the more underrated defensive forwards in the NHL and if he wasn't on such a dreadful team in the Canucks he would likely get Selke consideration every year. In the last couple seasons we have seen the now 27 year old Horvat really start to round out the offensive side of his game as well with him now at 28 goals; just 3 shy of his career high at only the 38 game mark.

Wright is not a flashy player. He plays a fairly north-south game and doesn't try to make the highlight reel. He is excellent positionally and is aware of where his opponents and teammates are wherever he is on the ice. He is typically not going to be the one who turns the puck over on his line. These are all excellent qualities to have in a player as young as Wright is. These are tools that it typically takes young players two or three years in the NHL to learn but Wright is showing that he has them now.

For the remainder of the season Wright should be lighting up the OHL and can work on his offensive instincts that did not show up in his brief 8 games with the Kraken. His first year on his ELC will not be burned and can slide to next season.

Over the first month of the season I was greatly annoyed with how the team was handling Wright but now in hindsight with him gaining some NHL experience, getting to play in the AHL and dominating, returning for another NHL game and scoring his first career goal, then captaining a World Juniors to Gold, and now returning to the OHL I must actually congratulate Ron Francis and Dave Hakstol for what they have done.

Seattle will continue to battle for a playoff spot and Wright will have every opportunity out of training camp next season to try and make the team. Through the second year of this team we are seeing the entire organization taking positive steps forward. I can't wait to see how this kid looks next year.

Thanks for reading!

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