The AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds have signed one of their parent club’s prospects, forward Kyle Jackson, to an AHL contract for the 2023-24 season, according to a team announcement. Jackson will begin his pro career in the Seattle Kraken organization without burning a year of his NHL entry-level contract and suit up for the AHL’s defending Western Conference champions next season.
Jackson was passed over in the 2021 draft after COVID cost him the 2020-21 season but went off the board to the Kraken a year later, who selected him in the seventh round with the 196th overall pick. He built on some already strong production, finishing second on the OHL’s North Bay Battalion in scoring with 31 goals, 52 assists and 83 points in 67 games. He wraps up his junior career and turns pro with 71 goals, 99 assists and 170 points in 186 appearances with North Bay across four seasons.
Projecting NHL futures is always more difficult with overage picks, but Jackson’s back-to-back point-per-game seasons after his initially eligible draft year is a good sign – especially after losing a full season to COVID. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, the 20-year-old’s hallmark is his puck skills. He’s a solid playmaker and is skilled at making plays in tight while maintaining possession.
Seattle must sign Jackson by June 1 of next year to retain his exclusive signing rights, meaning Jackson’s rookie year in the pros carries some added pressure. He’ll need to show some signs that his game can translate to the pro level to earn an entry-level contract from Seattle at some time over the next ten months.