Today, the Seattle Kraken has agreed to terms with free agent center Luke Henman from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Québec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) on a three-year entry-level contract. The transaction made by Seattle signifies the first player deal in Kraken history.
“Luke is a smart, skilled player with strong leadership qualities,” said Seattle Kraken general manager Ron Francis. “He brings solid character, which this organization values, and we look forward to working with him as he continues his development.”
The 21-year-old Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native will finish the season with the Armada. He was originally selected in the fourth round (96th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
During the 2020-21 regular season with the Armada, Henman tallied 43 points (16 goals, 27 assists), totaled 20 penalty minutes in 32 games and led his team in points while ranking second in goals. Currently, in the QMJHL playoffs, Henman has scored six goals and notched two assists and eight penalty minutes through his first seven contests. The Armada currently trail their best-of-five, Quarter Final round 2-1 with Victoriaville.
Henman has played five seasons in the QMJHL with the Armada, including each of the last two campaigns as team captain, tallying a total of 75 goals, 161 assists, 236 points and 111 penalty minutes in a total of 253 games (both regular season and playoffs). He set career highs in goals, assists, points, penalty minutes and plus/minus rating (+12) in 2019-20 and was on pace to eclipse his career highs in goals, assists and points during the shortened 2020-21 season.
Prior to his QMJHL career, the six-foot, 172-pound forward played two seasons for Dartmouth of the NSMMHL and was named to the league’s First All-Star Team in 2016-17 after helping his team capture the league championship in 2015-16.
Henman will participate in the Kraken’s Rookie Camp at Kraken Training Center leading into the club’s inaugural season in September.
The Seattle Kraken’s July 21 Expansion Draft is in 70 days, followed by the NHL Draft on July 23-24. The puck will drop for the team’s inaugural season at Climate Pledge Arena in the fall.