Kraken Prospect Roed "Driven To Work Harder Every Day"

Though the new Seattle Kraken prospect from northern Minnesota is named Lleyton Roed, he'd understand if you call him "Chip."

For those unfamiliar, Roed is a Bemidji State University left wing, signed last week to a two year contract by the Kraken.

“At every level, I’ve always been a good player but not considered the best,” Roed told the Bemidji Pioneer . “Other people don’t consider me a top-end player, and I think that’s driven me to work harder and harder every day. It’s playing with a chip on your shoulder.”

Last month, Roed earned a nomination for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the best U.S. collegiate hockey player.

As a sophomore, he scored 14 goals (#6 in CCHA) and 30 points (#8) for the Beavers in 38 games. That followed a freshman season in which he was league rookie of the week five times, and rookie of the month twice.

Roed is #29 in white in the clip below.

Several teams were vying to sign the undrafted free agent. Seattle, though, had an unbeatable edge - a scout who served as an assistant coach at Bemidji St. for five years. That's why Roed chose to attend the Kraken development camp last summer.

"Having the connection with Eddie Olczyk - him being a former coach - he wanted me there, and I felt wanted at their camp,”

If the scout's name sounds familiar, he's the son and namesake of former NHL star and Kraken TV analyst Eddie Olczyk.

“I think I made a really good impression on that whole Seattle staff,” Roed said. “I knew they’d be watching the whole year. I think it’s the right fit for me. It’s a world-class organization, and I feel very wanted. I’m excited to take that next step, and I’m glad it’s with them.”

Roed will spend the rest of this month on an amateur tryout with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Seattle's AHL farm team. The timing suits the Firebirds. A trio of forwards, Shane Wright, Logan Morrison, and Ryan Winterton, have been called up to the parent Kraken.

Coachella Valley, the top team in the Western Division, has nine regular season games left. The next one is a Thursday home date against the San Jose Barracuda.