Seattle Kraken
2026-06-21
Seattle Kraken have hired former defenseman Justin Schultz in a player development role, the team announced on Friday. Schultz spent the final two seasons of his 12-year NHL career with the Kraken from 2022-24, appearing in 143 games with 14 goals and 46 assists for 60 points. He will help the Kraken's young defensive prospects work on the nuances of their game, such as body positioning in battles and stick positioning in the defensive zone. Justin Schultz told Bob Condor of the Kraken's website, 'This is something I've always wanted to do, to help players try to get to the next level.' Schultz played under Kraken general manager Jason Botterill and new assistant general manager Patrik Allvin during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He won two Stanley Cups during his time with the Penguins and finished his career with 71 goals and 253 assists for 324 career points. Schultz will have a hand in developing prospects such as Blake Fiddler, Jakub Fibigr, and Tyson Jugnauth. And he will also work with potentially a top 10 pick in next week's NHL Draft on the defensive side. Kraken assistant general manager Ryan Jankowski said, 'Every prospect that's drafted has a little bit of a different skill set.' So Schultz's experience will be valuable in helping these young players develop their skills. Schultz appeared in 745 career games in the NHL, which is a testament to his endurance and skill as a player. But what's important now is how he can help the Kraken's young defensemen. He will work with them to improve their game, and his experience will be invaluable. The Kraken's minor league system will also benefit from Schultz's expertise. He will help the young players develop their skills and move up the progression from juniors to the American Hockey League and eventually the NHL.