Seattle Kraken selected Catton, a highly-skilled center, who is expected to become a top-line forward in the NHL. He excels at creating offense both at even strength and on the power play. In his rookie 2022-23 season with the WHL's Spokane Chiefs, Catton scored 23 goals and 55 points. He significantly improved in the 2023-24 season, scoring 54 goals and leading all draft-eligible WHL players with 116 points. Alongside teammate Conner Roulette, Catton dominated the team's offense, each outscoring their closest teammate by at least 37 points.
Catton, a Saskatoon native, honed his skills in the offseason using a traditional approach. "I lived in my backyard shooting pucks," Catton said at the NHL Draft Combine. He felt his previous season was decent but knew he needed to improve his scoring, which he worked on during the summer.
Additionally, Catton captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, scoring eight goals and two assists in five games. Concerns about his size, listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, may have caused some teams to pass on him, but there's potential for growth.
Ellis believes Catton is the most underrated top prospect of the 2024 NHL Draft, noting a disconnect between the average fan and NHL scouts. Despite concerns about his size, Catton's talent is undeniable. "That's something teams will be willing to bet on," Ellis said.
