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Curtis Douglas, the Seattle Kraken’s newest forward, embodies resilience with a journey to the NHL that many would find daunting. Drafted 106th overall in 2018, Douglas spent two seasons honing his skills in the OHL before embarking on a four-season stint in the AHL. His perseverance paid off when he made his NHL debut during the 2025-26 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a full seven years after his initial selection.
Reflecting on his long path, Douglas admitted, “There were times when I’ll admit, I thought it might not work out for me. But I never stopped trying.” His career took a significant turn on March 22, 2022, when he signed as a free agent with Toronto. Just months later, he was traded to Arizona in exchange for Conor Timmins, and subsequently transferred from Arizona to Utah in June 2024.
On October 6, 2025, the Lightning claimed Douglas off waivers from Utah, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Just three days later, he made his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators, logging five minutes of ice time before appearing in 29 more games that season, where he recorded two assists.
Douglas’s journey continued with the Vancouver Canucks, who claimed him off waivers on March 6, 2026. During his time with Vancouver, he played 14 games, contributing one goal and one assist. “This whole process doesn’t really feel real yet,” Douglas expressed. “I don’t think it will feel 100% real until I put the jersey on. If you were to have told me last year, after I got sent down by Utah, that I’d go on to play 40 NHL games, I think I would have probably slapped you across the head. It was pretty special the whole year, and I’m just in awe about the whole experience with Tampa, Vancouver and now this next chapter with the Kraken. I’m just so excited.”
On July 1, 2026, Douglas signed a two-year contract with the Kraken worth $1.25 million AAV, as announced by Seattle Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill. In a statement, Botterill praised Douglas, stating, “Curtis adds size and a strong physical presence to our forward group. He competes with an edge, brings energy, and is difficult to play against. We look forward to seeing him in our lineup next year.”
At 6-foot-9, Douglas stands as one of the tallest players in NHL history, known for his physical style of play. He even showcased his grit by dropping the gloves during his first NHL shift. As he joins the Kraken, the 26-year-old forward is eager to continue his growth in the league, attributing much of his success to the exceptional coaching and mentorship he has received along the way. “I’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible coaching staffs, some incredible mentors that were basically telling me, ‘Hey, you’ve got to get your foot in the door, and the way to do that is to throw your weight around and to fight a little bit more than maybe you want to,’” he noted.
Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.
