A Significant Development is Expected Regarding Forward Shane Wright, An Official Verdict Should be Revealed Shortly

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Elliot Ben Jacob
September 8, 2023 (7:08 PM)

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In recent days, the situation surrounding the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft, Shane Wright, has caused a lot of chatter. Indeed, unless he secures a spot with the Seattle Kraken, the center player would technically be obliged to return to the junior ranks due to the agreement between the CHL and the NHL.

The agreement stipulates that NHL teams must send back players who have been drafted and who have signed an entry-level contract to their junior club if the prospect in question fails to secure a position with the main team. This rule will notably prevent Owen Beck from playing for the Laval Rocket this season.

However, during the famous podcast 32 Thoughts hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman, the two men seemed to have diverging opinions on the matter. On one hand, Jeff Marek believes that Shane Wright could indeed be forced to return to the Windsor Spitfires this season to comply with the established rule.

"According to the agreement between the CHL and the NHL, Shane Wright should technically return to the junior ranks this season. The Windsor Spitfires hold his rights because he did not play the minimum required number of games last year, which is 25 games, having played only 24 games with the Ontario team." - Jeff Marek

On the other hand, Elliotte Friedman seems to think that the pressure applied by the Kraken's General Manager, Ron Francis, might allow the 19-year-old forward to be the exception to the rule. However, with several centers already in the lineup, it wouldn't be surprising if Shane Wright is unable to secure a position with the team at the start of the season.

"If Shane Wright doesn't make the Kraken team, I have the impression that the CHL will agree that it doesn't make sense for him to return there and that Wright will play in the AHL." - Elliotte Friedman

It remains to be seen if the CHL will agree to let Shane Wright continue his development with the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the American League. It would be rather disappointing if such a decision is made, knowing that Owen Beck clearly has the skills to play in the AHL, yet he will have to return to the Peterborough Petes in the OHL this season.

The 6'1", 185-pound forward had modest beginnings in the professional ranks last year, collecting only six goals and nine assists in 32 games in the AHL, as well as one goal and one assist in eight games with the Seattle Kraken.