Seattle Kraken select Alexis Bernier (D) 73rd overall in 2024 NHL Draft

The Seattle Kraken have a Beniers, and now they have a Bernier.

The first defenseman of the NHL Draft has come off the board for the Seattle Kraken when they took Alexis Bernier from the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar.

Most people who care about these sorts of things expected Seattle to take one of the top defenseman prospects at #8 overall, but instead took forward Berkly Catton.

His rankings (consolidated by Elite Prospects):

Ranked #100 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #130 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #112 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #104 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #62 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #134 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #123 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #127 by DOBBERPROSPECTS

• EliteProspects 2024 NHL Draft Guide: Bernier’s breakout abilities help him cut down his defensive zone time. They contribute to his shutdown abilities. As much as possible, he keeps the puck in control of his team with his poise and clever, simple passes. If a teammate gets open in the offensive zone, he spots him. And if another frees himself for a breakaway, he lands the stretch pass.
• Matthew Zator, the Hockey Writers: Alexis Bernier is known as a strong two-way defenseman who leans more towards being a reliable defensive defenseman. He has shown this season that he is capable of being a strong playmaker from the back end, thanks in large part to his solid vision. Where he excels best with his playmaking ability and skill is while helping lead the breakout out of his own zone. Offensively, he may not light the world on fire, but is still reliable enough to not be a liability. With an improved offensive game, Bernier has the chance to become a second-pairing defenseman at some point in his career.

Barring trades, here are Seattle’s remaining draft picks:

• Round 3, pick 88 (From Toronto in 2022 Mark Giordano/Colin Blackwell trade) ⁽¹⁾
• Round 4, pick 105
• Round 5: No pick ⁽²⁾
• Round 6, pick 169
• Round 7, pick 201
• Round 7, pick 202 (From Calgary in 2022 Calle Jarnkrok trade) ⁽³⁾

^{(1) The Kraken received two other draft picks, which they used to select goalie Niklas Kokko (2nd round, 2022) and defenseman Lucas Dragicevic (2nd round, 2023). (2) The Kraken traded this year’s 5th round pick to Colorado in December for forward Tomas Tatar, who is unlikely to return to the team. (3) The Kraken received two other draft picks; one was used to select forward David Goyette (2nd round, 2022). The second was part of a package to acquire forward Oliver Bjorkstrand from Columbus.}