Justin Schultz Returns to Seattle as Player Development Coach for Kraken

In a significant move for the Seattle Kraken, former defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion Justin Schultz is set to return to the franchise in a player development role. The announcement came on Thursday, marking a new chapter for the 35-year-old, who hung up his skates in 2024 after a stint in the Swiss National League.

Schultz’s impressive career spanned 12 seasons in the NHL, during which he played 745 regular season games and celebrated championship victories with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. His successful tenure in Pittsburgh likely influenced his new opportunity in Seattle, as both General Manager Jason Botterill and newly appointed Assistant GM Patrik Allvin were part of the Penguins organization during that time.

Reflecting on his new position, Schultz expressed enthusiasm for contributing to player development, stating, “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.” He fondly recalled his time in Seattle, saying, “I’m excited to get to work with these prospects. They’re all obviously great players; they’ve been drafted or signed. I want to help in whatever way I can with what they need to get better. I’ve played a lot of games, won some Stanley Cups, and I am hoping to relay some positive things to them.”

Director of Player Development Cory Murphy also welcomed Schultz to the team, highlighting his alignment with their goals. Murphy noted, “He’s familiar with the organization and the people; he’s lived [the NHL player life] for a long time and had success doing it. That’s something he’s going to bring, the consistency of pro habits, what’s needed on a daily basis to be an NHL player and to stay in the NHL. Not just to make it, but to stay there. That’s something we pride ourselves on, looking to develop these prospects to make the NHL and have the tools for a longer NHL career.”

The Kraken Development Camp is scheduled for the last week of June, following the NHL draft. Fans will have the opportunity to attend and observe the camp on June 30th, July 1st, and July 2nd. For specific times and details, the Kraken Community Iceplex website will provide the necessary information.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.