The Seattle Kraken have locked up one of their promising young blue-line prospects, signing defenseman Alexis Bernier to a three-year, entry-level contract. According to the team, the deal will carry an average annual value of $1,033,333 at the NHL level and will officially kick off next season.
Bernier, 19, was selected by Seattle in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound right-shot defenseman is fresh off a championship run in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where he helped the Chicoutimi Saguenéens capture the Gilles-Courteau Trophy. Despite a torn ACL limiting him to just 21 regular-season games this year following a trade from Baie-Comeau, Bernier bounced back strong for the postseason, skating in 20 playoff games and adding four goals and seven points to anchor Chicoutimi’s defense.
Prior to his injury-shortened campaign, the St-Hyacinthe, Quebec native enjoyed a breakout 2024-25 season with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. He racked up 14 goals and 46 points in 59 games, leading all Drakkar defensemen in scoring and earning a spot on the QMJHL First All-Star Team. Known for his high-end poise, physical edge, and sharp breakout passing, Bernier projects as a versatile, puck-moving shutdown defenseman at the professional level.
With the June 1 signing deadline looming for 2024 draft picks, General Manager Jason Botterill wasted no time securing Bernier’s rights before he could potentially re-enter the draft. Bernier and the Saguenéens will now turn their focus to the upcoming Memorial Cup tournament before he officially makes the jump to the professional ranks in the fall.