Seattle Kraken’s Berkly Catton: A Rookie’s Journey
The Seattle Kraken’s Berkly Catton has made notable strides in his rookie season, particularly following a significant milestone: his first NHL goal. After an arduous wait, Catton finally found the back of the net in his 28th game, breaking a personal drought, and quickly followed up with a second goal during the same match. This accomplishment seems to have ignited his performance, as the 20-year-old has since scored an impressive four goals over the last four games, celebrating his birthday today.
Overcoming Challenges
Before achieving this breakthrough, Catton was showing promise despite lacking scoring success. Observers noted his remarkable speed and creativity on the ice, yet the statistics did not reflect his contributions. Catton remarked on the unpredictable nature of hockey, acknowledging that sometimes a player can perform well without immediate results.
“Some of the other games, I thought I was even better than (I’ve been) in the games I’ve been scoring. Sometimes that’s the way hockey works,”
he reflected.
Current Performance and Future Goals
Currently, Catton’s rookie stats indicate he has four goals and nine points in 31 appearances, primarily playing on the third line with an average ice time of around 12 minutes and 58 seconds. There’s an understanding that he still needs to enhance his physical strength to compete effectively at the highest level. Catton has expressed awareness of the need for improvement, especially in battles for the puck, stating,
“When you come in and those first couple games and those first couple months, it’s kind of an eye opener how strong guys are.”
Team Dynamics and Support
Meanwhile, his teammate Matty Beniers has also been making headlines, achieving a point streak over five games and reinforcing the team’s offensive capabilities alongside skilled counterparts like Shane Wright and Jared McCann. Their combined efforts have been mutually beneficial; they support Catton’s growth as much as he contributes to the team’s overall dynamics.
Looking Ahead
For Catton, the goal now is to maintain his current momentum. Each game offers an opportunity to learn and develop further in this competitive league. Moreover, by spending time on the NHL roster, Catton has not only advanced in his rookie season but also moved closer to becoming an unrestricted free agent after accruing a season towards that status, all while making a significant impact on the Kraken’s offense.
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