The Seattle Kraken made a little draft history in the fifth round of the 2026 NHL Draft when they selected Luken “Hawke” Huff, the first Seattle prospect born in Washington state.
Huff, 20, was born on January 1st, 2006, in Mazama, Washington, a small town of fewer than 200 people about three and a half hours from Seattle. The six-foot-three, 198-pound defenseman has spent the last two seasons in the United States Hockey League, skating for the Sioux Falls Stampede and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
Last season, Huff played 61 games and put up three goals and 39 points.
His path to hockey started early, even if he can only place the moment roughly. According to NHL.com, Huff figured he was three or four years old when he first got on the ice in Wenatchee.
“We went down there for a birthday or something,” said Huff.
“I got on the ice and fell in love with it.”
After that, Huff moved to Winthrop, where he spent time on an outdoor rink.
“I remember mostly just playing [dry land] hockey with friends and waiting for winter,” said Huff.
Huff went undrafted in the last two drafts, but his stock rose after he was named USHL Defenseman of the Year. That caught the attention of scouts, including amateur scout Thomas Plante, who offered a strong read on the blueliner to NHL.com.
“He's been on a great trajectory,” said Plante. “He's a blue-collar, lunch-pail kid.
He oozes positive character. When we pass him on to the player development staff, they're just gonna be excited about his character and more.”
Huff said he will play at the University of St. Thomas next season, where he’ll keep building his game.
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