Seattle Kraken Secure Forward Ryan Winterton with Two-Year Extension
Ryan Winterton on Nov. 16, 2025, during a game against the San Jose Sharks. Photo credit: Jenn G.
Written By Gina Anton
The Seattle Kraken have locked in one of their most promising young forwards. On Tuesday, the team announced a two-year contract extension for 22-year-old Ryan Winterton, keeping him with the Kraken through the 2027‑28 season at a cap hit of $1.125 million per year.
Winterton, entering his third NHL season, has steadily carved out a role with Seattle. This season, he’s posted 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) in 54 games, marking career highs while establishing himself as a reliable bottom-six forward and penalty killer. He isn’t the flashiest player on the ice, but his hustle, defensive awareness, and physical play make him a cornerstone of the team’s depth and a favorite among fans who appreciate effort and consistency.
“Ryan has taken big strides as a member of the Kraken this season,” said general manager Jason Botterill. “He's been able to carve out a role on this team with his speed and strong two-way game.”
At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Winterton combines size with a relentless work ethic. In the American Hockey League with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, he recorded 40 goals and 32 assists in 114 career games, showing he can produce consistently when given more responsibility. Those skills have translated to the NHL, where Winterton has become a dependable player who can be counted on in defensive situations, on the penalty kill, and in the hard minutes of a close game.
It’s his gritty, team-first, and always engaged style that has proven himself to the Kraken organization. Fans can see themselves in his game: every puck battle, every blocked shot, every shift where he sacrifices for the team mirrors the kind of effort they admire in themselves. Winterton is the kind of young player whose growth feels personal to fans; as he develops into a more complete forward, supporters are along for the ride.
For Seattle, this extension represents youth, upside, and continuity. Winterton strengthens the Kraken’s depth, complements stars like Matty Beniers and Jared McCann, and adds a player fans can rally behind. Two more seasons give the team and its supporters a chance to watch him evolve, potentially becoming a key contributor in Seattle’s playoff pursuits.
By locking up Winterton for two more seasons, the Kraken secure a young, versatile forward who strengthens their roster and gives the team stability as they continue to develop their core players.
