Seattle Kraken Shane Wright on managing expectations: 'I had to learn what it's like to be a professional'

Shane Wright is still reeling from losing Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals.

For the second year in a row, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Seattle Kraken's AHL affiliate, lost in the finals, and Wright was a part of both playoff games.

Despite the disappointment, the 20-year-old learned a lot from both playoff runs.

“We are learning what it takes to get through that competition, to be able to win and close games, [that] it's great,” Wright said on First Up with Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo. “Definitely two experiences that really helped me, too [ones] that I will be able to lean forward.”

After joining the Firebirds during the 2022-23 playoff run in which he had nine points in 24 games, Wright graduated to the AHL a year early at the age of 19 in the 2023-24 campaign. Last season, he had 22 goals and 47 points in 59 regular season games in the AHL and had four goals and 12 points in 13 playoff games.

He also had eight games last season with the Kraken, scoring four goals with one assist.

After playing his junior hockey in Kingston and Windsor, the native of Burlington, Ont., experienced a big change in environment when he moved from small towns in Ontario to the California desert.

“He lives in the desert. It's different than what I'm used to coming from Toronto,” said Wright. “It's hot there, good weather, but it's a different place for hockey, that's for sure. But I loved it there. I love being there, playing there, the fans. We have nothing but good things to say about the Valley.”

After missing the playoffs for the second year in a row, the Kraken made several changes in the offseason. In free agency, they brought in defenseman Brandon Montour and forward Chandler Stephenson on long-term deals.

They also made changes behind the bench, firing the first head coach in franchise history in Dave Hakstol and replacing him with Dan Bylsma, who spent the past two seasons as the Firebirds' head coach.

Bylsma, who helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup championship in 2009, has had a big impact on Wright, who is looking forward to meeting him in training camp.

“To be able to have a coach like this who has a relationship with him and who I've really enjoyed playing for him is really big,” said Bylsma's Wright. “It's definitely something I'm looking forward to and talking to him and going into training camp.

“I know what he likes and the style of player he wants me to be, so I want to be able to go to training camp and show them that and show that I deserve a place in that team.”

Wright is no stranger to defying expectations. As a teenager, he was given a special position to enter the OHL a year early at the age of 15 with the Kingston Frontenacs. In 2022, he was drafted fourth overall by Seattle.

Having already captured CHL and OHL Rookie of the Year honors, as well as captaining Canada to international gold at the U18s and World Juniors, Wright admits he has a lot to learn in making the jump from juniors to the pros.

“Obviously there are external expectations, external pressures,” Wright said. “But at the end of the day I have expectations of myself and that's what I'm focused on – getting on with my day job.

“It's definitely been a process for me, I had to learn what it's like to be a champion, to take that next step, to be able to succeed and be an impact player at that level.”