SEATTLE (AP) — It took Berkeley Caton 28 games to score his first career NHL goal.
His second outing lasted just over 28 minutes.
Carton, the Kraken’s first-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft, opened his career by scoring twice in Seattle’s 7-4 victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, breaking a long scoring drought.
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“It definitely takes a lot off my shoulders,” said Carton, 19. “I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time, so this is awesome.”
Caton’s first goal was a bit strange, occurring during a three-on-two match at 2:48 of the second quarter. He took a pass from Jared McCann and fired a one-timer from a tough angle that sailed through Jeremy Swayman’s pads.
“To be honest, I didn’t even know it went in,” Carton said. “I thought it hit the post.”
When the goal horn sounded, Carton raised his arms in visible relief and McCann gathered him against the boards.
“This is the best; I said, ‘Finally,'” said McCann, an 11-year veteran. “He’s been working hard and so should we.”
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The Kraken selected Katon, a star player for the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs, with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft. He scored his first point with an assist in his NHL debut on October 20 and had two more assists in the next four games, but was unable to score his first goal.
“Obviously I’ve been thinking about it, but I wouldn’t say it affected me too much,” Carton said. “But it’s just a relief to get it out of the way more than anything.”
Following that one, Carton quickly moved into the second and scored on a nifty backhand over Swayman’s glove off a pass from Freddy Gaudreau at the 14th minute of the third.
“I think it’s awesome,” Kraken coach Ryan Lambert said. “I’ve said it a few times before, once he scores, I think he’s going to score a few goals.”
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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL
