SEATTLE (AP) — It took 28 games for Berkly Catton to score his first career NHL goal.
His second took just over 28 minutes of game time.
Catton, the Kraken’s first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, came away with a pair of goals in Seattle’s 7-4 win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, breaking a lengthy scoring drought to open his career.
“Lot of weight off the shoulders for sure,” the 19-year-old Catton said. “I’ve dreamed of that for a long time, so that was awesome."
Catton’s first came in a bit of odd fashion on a three-on-two at 2:48 in the second period. He took a pass from Jared McCann and ripped a one-timer from a tough angle that found its way through Jeremy Swayman’s pads.
“I didn’t even know it went in, to be honest,” Catton said. “I thought it hit the post.”
When the goal horn sounded, Catton raised his arms with a very obvious sigh of relief, as McCann mobbed him on the side boards.
“It’s the best; I said, ‘Finally.’ ” said McCann, an 11-year veteran. “He’s been working really hard, and we were due.”
The Kraken took Catton, a star for the WHL's Spokane Chiefs, with the eighth overall pick in the ’24 draft. He logged his first NHL point on an assist in his debut on Oct. 20 — and added two more assists in his next four games — but that first goal had eluded him.
“Obviously I thought about it all the time, but I wouldn’t say it was really impacting me too much,” Catton said. “But it’s just a relief more than anything to get it out of the way.”
And with it out of the way, Catton quickly moved onto his second, scoring 14 minutes into the third, on a nifty backhand over Swayman’s glove off a feed from Freddy Gaudreau.
“I thought it was awesome,” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “I’ve said a few times prior to now that once he scores, I think he’ll score a few.”
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL
Seattle Kraken left wing Jared McCann (19) greets center Berkly Catton, left, as they celebrate after a win over the Boston Bruins in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Kraken center Berkly Catton scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Kraken center Berkly Catton flicks the puck while facing the Boston Bruins during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
England's players and management are undergoing a performance review following the 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia, with England Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould vowing to “implement the necessary changes over coming months.”
Gould issued a statement after England's five-wicket loss in the fifth test Thursday, highlighting disappointment in the campaign after the squad traveled to Australia with high expectations of ending a long drought Down Under.
The planning, tactics and preparation of head coach Brendon McCullum and cricket director Rob Key will be part of the review, along with “individual performances and behaviors” and the team's ability to adapt and react to conditions.
“This Ashes tour began with significant hope and anticipation, and it is therefore deeply disappointing that we have been unable to fulfill our ambition of winning the Ashes in Australia," Gould said. “While there were moments of strong performance and resilience during the series, including a hard-fought victory in the fourth test in Melbourne, we were not consistent enough across all conditions and phases of the contest.”
Gould said the cricket board was “determined to improve quickly” as the team prepares for the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month.
“We will implement the necessary changes over the coming months,” he said.
Australia retained the Ashes with wins in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, before England's drought-breaking win in the fourth test in Melbourne made it 3-1 ahead of the test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia has won four consecutive home Ashes series since England's last win here in 2010-11.
England struggled this tour with injuries to key bowlers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, a heavy workload for skipper Ben Stokes which meant he couldn't bowl on the last day of the series, and a consistently flawed approach to batting in pressure situations.
England's fielding was also problematic across the series, with too many chances put down.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
England's Ben Stokes signs his autograph for a fan following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Australia's Cameron Green, left, is congratulated by England's Jacob Bethell following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
England's Ben Stokes, centre, gestures to teammate Brydon Carse, right, during play on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
