Shane Wright reportedly set to receive special exemption for next season

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Josh Tupper
September 8, 2023 (3:01 PM)

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The NHL-CHL Agreement clearly states that any prospect 19-years-old and under are required to play in either the NHL or CHL. Last season this rule forced Shane Wright to start his season with the Seattle Kraken, despite not being 100% ready for the NHL game. Wright would eventually be sent back to the OHL after Christmas after struggling to find a permanent spot in the Kraken lineup.

Due to Wright's age, for the upcoming season he is still subject to the same NHL-CHL Agreement. Earlier this week, Kraken General Manager Ron Francis shared he planned on seeking a special exemption for Wright for next season if he was unable to make the Kraken roster. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, it appears more likely than not that his exemption will be granted.

On the most recent episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast Friedman reported that he believes the Canadian Hockey League has agreed that it doesn't make sense to have Shane Wright return to the OHL and that he should be eligible instead to play in the AHL.

"If he does not make the Kraken, I'm under the impression that the CHL is in agreement that it doesn't make any sense for him to go back there and Wright will go to the [AHL]." Friedman said.

While the decision to allow Wright play in the AHL makes sense from a development perspective, it also circumvents the nature of the agreement. There are many occasions where teams feel that their prospects should be playing at a higher level, but those teams are forced to abide by the agreement. To many this is just another way for the NHL to help their expansion teams, while others feel the development of the prospect should be most important.