Kraken prospect Kaden Hammell set to lead Silvertips' outstanding blue line

The Everett Silvertips faithful were out in force at the Kraken Community Iceplex on Friday, July 5, as the Stucky Cup practice game (coincidentally named after former Silvertips equipment manager James Stucky) concluded the Seattle Kraken’s development camp.

They showed their support not only for the local NHL team, but also for two of their players, Kaden Hammell and Julius Miettinen, who they have watched develop over the years at Angel of the Winds Arena.

Hammell said he was thrilled when Miettinen was selected by the Kraken in the second round of this summer’s NHL draft, and explained what some of the added benefits of having a built-in connection like theirs are.

“There’s always going to be that connection you have when you go to bat for nine months with a guy,” Hammell said. “It’s pretty cool that we both get to have the same experiences and we can connect on some things that other prospects in other organizations maybe can’t.”

This process, however, is nothing new for Hammell. After his first full season as a prospect with the organization, the 19-year-old from Langley, B.C., assessed the progress he’s made since being selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, as well as the steps he still needs to take to reach the next level.

Kaden Hammell’s Experience in Everett and Seattle

It’s not always easy being traded mid-season, but Hammell felt the change of scenery could help him advance his career. It did.

Hammell was originally acquired by Everett via trade from Kamloops in January 2023, in the same deal that sent Olen Zellweger to the Blazers, as well as the Silvertips securing the first overall pick in the most recent WHL draft.

In 83 regular-season games since joining the Silvertips, he has eight goals and 43 points, consistently maintaining the half-point-per-game mark he’s maintained for most of his WHL career. He’s also had a few knuckle bruises along the way.

Since arriving in Everett, Hammell feels like he’s improved his game. He’s gone from a defensive, “stay-at-home” role to a versatile, fluid player at both ends of the ice.

The Kraken selected Hammell in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, and since that selection, he has said the Kraken’s development staff has helped him gain confidence in his two-way game, telling him to “really own” his skills everywhere he goes on the ice.

“Having that versatility is the most important thing for my career right now,” Hammell said. “I’m making sure I’m good in both zones and creating as much as I can on offense.”

He showed flashes of offensive prowess this past season, where he had eight points in his last 10 games. And while Everett lost in the second round of the playoffs to Portland, Hammell’s offensive involvement increased throughout the playoffs, scoring three goals in nine games, including two on the power play.

As an 18-year-old at the start of last season, former head coach Dennis Williams handed Hammell the role of assistant captain, a role he said helped him get closer to professional status.

“I learned a lot throughout the year about what it means to be a leader,” Hammell said. “Especially coming into the playoffs, I feel like it was a time where leadership was a critical piece to have.”

Although he earned an amateur tryout with the Coachella Valley Firebirds after the Silvertips’ season ended, Hammell still has a ways to go before making an impact at the professional level.

He’ll likely spend one more season in Everett, which isn’t the worst thing in the world considering the talent overflowing at the defensive end. And as one of the elder statesmen in the room, a full-time captaincy could be in the cards for him.

Leading a charged defensive group

The Silvertips’ backcourt could be one of the most talented groups in the league this season, and for good reason.

Before Hammell shared the ice with Miettinen at the Kraken’s 2024 development camp, the 2023 main training camp saw another of his Silvertips teammates, Eric Jamieson, receive an invite to camp.

Jamieson made the most of that opportunity and his offensive output jumped to 10 goals and 32 points last season, earning him a sixth-round selection by the Calgary Flames.

Another of Hammell’s defensive partners, Tarin Smith, was drafted in the third round by the Anaheim Ducks after a breakout season with 44 points in 67 games.

Smith explained at the draft that Everett’s development standards are unlike any other in the CHL.

“It’s an incredible place. It’s a professional organization and they run things like no other,” Smith said. “They treat us like pros and they expect us to act like pros. I feel like it’s one of the (best) places for development (in the CHL).”

The group Hammell is poised to lead would be impressive on its own with him and the two other NHL draft picks expected to return to Everett for the 2024-25 season, not to mention the additional impacts expected from Niko Tsakumis and Cameron Sytsma.

But if and when they finally add their star, phenom Landon DuPont, Everett’s blue line could suddenly transform into one of the best units in recent WHL history.

“All we’re hoping for is DuPont to come,” Hammell said. “The whole team is really excited to play with him and I know the organization will be excited to have him.”

While DuPont and the management staff have yet to put pen to paper, that should happen soon, and it’s safe to say that the Silvertips’ upcoming season could be one of the most anticipated in the club’s history.

“I’m confident they’ll make the right decisions with the coaching staff and the management,” Hammell said. “There’s nothing to worry about. We’re going to be an incredible team and we’ve got a lot of firepower to work with from last year.”