Firkus Arrives at Kraken Camp After Breakout Firebirds Season

Jagger Firkus is in Seattle's main training camp, which opens for on-ice work Thursday at Kraken Community Iceplex, after a second AHL season that left general manager Jason Botterill wishing he had recalled him sooner.

"The one player that I was disappointed that we couldn't get up at the end of the year was Jagger Firkus," Botterill said. "He took a big step at Coachella Valley. Firkus, (Logan) Morrison and Jani Nyman, when they were down there (together), were a dominant line."

The 22-year-old winger scored 21 goals for the Firebirds in 2025-26, up from 15 as a rookie. He also improved as a playmaker and added four goals and five assists in 12 playoff games.

Firebirds coach Derek Laxdal has emphasized the growth in Firkus's overall game.

"When he plays a 200-foot game, he's effective because he's a fierce scorer," Laxdal said. "He's got tenacity on the puck. He's a smart carrier. He knows how to strip pucks and puts himself in good positions. If you look at last year compared to his first year, he took a step."

Seattle drafted the Irma, Alberta, native in the second round in 2022. Firkus scored 36, 40 and 61 goals in his final three seasons with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors. His 126-point final season brought WHL and CHL Player of the Year honors and an Ed Chynoweth Cup championship.

"His off-puck play has improved quite a bit the past few years, and he's as offensively minded as they come," Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis said. "I feel much more confident that he'll make the NHL than I did a year ago."

Firkus scored in Sunday's Prospect Showcase game against Vancouver's rookies. Botterill has said Seattle could carry a large group of forwards aged 23 or younger.