Berkly Catton, C
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Team: Spokane (WHL) | Rank: 10
DOB: 01/14/06 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 170 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 68 | G: 54 | A: 62 | P: 116
Scouting notes: Catton is one of those "get you out of your seats" players. He's dynamic with the puck, reads defensive structures, slices through coverage and is a nightmare to defend in one-on-one situations. His ability to manipulate defenders with his speed and skill is pure brilliance. He's one of the most dangerous transition players in the draft, and even at 5-10, he's shown an ability to execute high-skill plays in traffic.
As is the case with any player of this skill set, he needs to pick his spots a little better to improve his offensive efficiency. The turnovers are not going to fly at the NHL level, and he'll need to develop his ability to create offense when he's not in transition. The same manipulation, stick skill and deception he uses on the rush needs to be applied in smaller areas. If he can take pucks off the wall and get to the middle, there is a better chance he hits his ceiling of a top-six, point producer.
He's already a dual threat with a promising arsenal of releases and shot types. Given that he understands how to put defenders in vulnerable postures, it is not a stretch to believe his offensive game will continue to improve. I'm not sure he's a center in the NHL, but the dynamic dual threat should be an entertaining player to watch for years. -- Doerrie
Team fit: Entering the draft, the narrative surrounding the Kraken was that they needed to draft a defenseman. Namely, a puck mover who could help facilitate possession for a team that's struggled to score goals in two of their first three seasons. Although the argument could be had that they already have that with Ryker Evans.
It still amounted to the Kraken needing prospects who can score or create goals and it led to them choosing Berkly Catton. He addresses their scoring needs provided he scored 54 goals and 116 points for the Spokane Chiefs last season. If the Kraken opt to keep Catton at center, he will join their spine of the future that includes Matty Beniers and Shane Wright. But there's a chance he could be moved to the wing, with the expectation that he could someday play alongside Beniers on one of the Kraken's top two lines and on their power play. -- Clark
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