When Lane Lambert picked up the phone this past summer to call Aaron Schneekloth, it was the start of a partnership that’s quickly become a key piece of the Kraken’s early-season identity. The two had never met before that conversation, but it didn’t take long for the connection to click - and for Seattle’s defensive game to benefit in a big way.
Schneekloth, who was coming off a strong season as head coach of the AHL’s Colorado Eagles - leading them to a Pacific Division title - didn’t know much about what was waiting on the other end of that call. “All I knew is I was informed by the Avalanche there was an NHL opportunity for an interview,” he said.
But once the conversations with Lambert started, things began to fall into place. “The comfort level was really there.
How we interacted, talking about different plays and structures in the defensive zone. How we like and want teams to play.
There were a lot of similarities.”
That mutual understanding wasn’t lost on Lambert, either. After Tuesday’s practice at Kraken Community Iceplex, the head coach echoed those early impressions.
“You always get that positive feeling with the right guy,” Lambert said. “It’s pretty immediate.
That’s how I felt with him. The more we talked, the more I knew he was the right guy.”
Fast forward to now, and Schneekloth’s fingerprints are all over a Kraken defense that’s helping keep the team in the playoff picture. As of Tuesday, Seattle sat in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference - and a big reason for that has been their ability to limit high-danger chances. Schneekloth’s work with the blue line has been instrumental in making the Kraken a tougher team to play against, night in and night out.
“We’ve talked about that as a team, where we’re at,” said Lambert. “You can get so focused on the last game or two.
Dallas, I thought we played a great game. Could’ve won that one.
Edmonton, none of us were happy with that one. But getting back to practice, having those conversations about where we are and where we want to go - that’s been good.
The guys have worked hard. They’ve made us hard to play against.”
Defensive Identity Taking Shape
Schneekloth’s impact has been felt across the defensive group, from seasoned veterans to younger players still carving out their roles. Lambert made it clear: this hire wasn’t just about filling a spot - it was about adding a coach who sees the game in a way that complements the Kraken’s approach.
“He’s come in and exceeded expectations,” Lambert said. “His thought process in terms of seeing the game and making adjustments - that’s been really welcome. He’s done a pretty good job managing ice time and putting guys in positions to succeed.”
For Schneekloth, who’s a legend in Colorado Eagles history both as a player and a coach, this move to the NHL is a significant step. He spent nearly a decade with the Eagles, first as a standout defenseman - twice named the ECHL’s best at his position - and later as a coach who led the team to back-to-back Kelly Cup championships in 2017 and 2018. Now, he’s taking that experience to the highest level.
“At every level, the talent, speed, execution, and individual player vision all go up,” Schneekloth said. “The NHL is the highest level.
Our main focus is on the habits and details in game situations, like techniques to kill plays. At this level, you try to pass on some of those tools for guys to use.”
It’s not just about systems and tactics, though. Schneekloth’s approach starts with something more foundational: relationships.
Building Trust, Elevating Play
“First, the top priority is to build a relationship, get an understanding of who they are as people,” he said. “Then being with them, watching them, knowing who they are as players.
How can I help them get better? What do they want to work on?
What do I see that I want them to work on? We work together on it.
I think that’s what the players want.”
That collaborative mindset has resonated with the Kraken’s defensive corps. Whether it’s a Cup-winning veteran or a young player trying to prove himself, Schneekloth’s message is the same: let’s get better, together.
And so far, the results are speaking for themselves. The Kraken are defending with structure, limiting quality chances, and looking more and more like a team built to grind through the long haul of a playoff push.
There’s still a lot of hockey left to play, but with Schneekloth helping shape the blue line - and Lambert steering the ship - Seattle’s got a foundation that’s proving tough to crack.