Seattle Kraken forward Shane Wright may well be available to defend Canada’s colors at the next World Junior Hockey Championship.

TSN network reporter Darren Dregger explained on Thursday’s Insider Trading show that the Kraken have no intention of returning Wright to the junior ranks.

“It’s likely he’ll stay with the Kraken,” he said. There is a clause in the agreement between the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) that allows eligible players in the junior ranks like Shane Wright to be loaned out to the American Hockey League (THE H).”

“For that reason, I think the Kraken are currently considering the option of loaning him to the Canada squad for the World Juniors,” Dregger added.

Wright, fourth overall in the most recent draft, would have liked to have had more success in his early games on the Bettman circuit. He racked up a single assist in six games and was additionally limited to an average playing time of less than eight minutes per game. On Tuesday, Wright was on the ice for 13 minutes 49 seconds, a previous record for him.

The Ontarian scored 94 points in the Ontario Junior League (OHL) last year with the Kingston Frontenacs.

If Wright represents Canada in December, he could reunite with potential Connor Bedard, who is aiming for the No. 1 pick in the next NHL draft. Together they helped the Maple Leaf win gold at the U18 World Championships two years ago. Bedard and Wright both finished the contest with 14 points.