SEATTLE, Wash. – Bemidji State University sophomore forward Lleyton Roed has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL) announced by the club Wednesday afternoon.
 
Roed will report to the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League (AHL) where he'll play the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
 
"I just want to say how grateful I am for the coaching staff and my teammates," said Roed. "Tom and the staff gave me an opportunity and helped me get to this point. I also want to thank my teammates for pushing me and supporting me every single day. It obviously is a dream come true to sign an NHL contract and especially with such a great organization! And finally I want to thank my family for being there for me my entire life! I am proud to say I am a Beaver for life!"
 
In just two seasons with the Beavers, Roed amassed 61 career points off 27 goals and 34 assists and was the first Beaver to post back-to-back 30-or-more point seasons since Jordan George in 2009-12. In 74 games with the green and white, he compiled the sixth-best point per game average (0.82) among Beavers during BSU's DI era. A Hobey Baker Memorial Award nominee in 2024, Roed was a CCHA Forward of the Year finalist and All-CCHA First Team selection after he led the Beavers in scoring with 30 points (14g-16a), finished sixth in the CCHA with 14 goals and helped BSU capture the program's second MacNaughton Cup as regular season champions.
 
"Lleyton has been an elite level player for us ever since he joined the Beavers as a freshman," said head coach Tom Serratore. "He's been instrumental to the success the Beavers have had during the last two years and a big reason why we won 20 games and the MacNaughton Cup this year. I am proud of the steps he has taken on and off the ice to achieve his dream of playing professional hockey and excited to see him develop into an NHL player."
 
Coachella Valley leads the Pacific Division of the AHL with a record of 39-13-5 and have clinched a spot into the 2023-24 AHL Playoffs. After a game tonight (March 27) the Firebirds next play Saturday, March 30 at the Henderson Silver Knights (7:00 p.m. PST).
 
For more information on the Bemidji State men's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter or Instagram (@BSUBeaversMHKY), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
--bsu—