Browsing: Shine

The Seattle Kraken kicked off the beginning of pre-season with a 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks, dressing several NHL players and top prospects.

Among those NHL players were Matty Beniers, Kaapo Kakko, Shane Wright, Jaden Schwartz, Vince Dunn, Ryker Evans, Adam Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak.

The top-rated prospects featured Berkly Catton, Jani Nyman, Jake O’Brien, Eduard Sale, Jagger Firkus, Oscar Fisker Molgaard, and Blake Fiddler.

The Kraken took a 1-0 lead after Sale capitalized on a 2-on-1 opportunity. The 20-year-old took his chance with confidence, beating the Canucks goaltender over his shoulder after looking off Catton. Prior to Sale’s marker, Wright and O’Brien had breakaway opportunities to open the scoring but were denied by Nikita Tolopio.

The Canucks answered back with a power play goal before the Kraken scored three unanswered in the middle frame, two of which came off the stick of Nyman. Nyman’s first tally came off a neat pass by Kakko. Nyman quietly found his way to the far post on an odd-man rush and tapped in the go-ahead goal.

The 21-year-old’s second goal was more indicative of what Nyman provides. Nyman loaded up for a one-timer and picked the far top corner for his second of the game.

“His second one was a good shot, his first one was going to the net hard and a great play by Kakko,†coach Lane Lambert said. “The thing that really excited me about that (first Nyman) goal was that it started in the defensive zone. We killed the play (by Vancouver) and then it wound up in the back of their net. From my perspective, thatâ€s what Iâ€m talking about when weâ€re talking about defense, and it translates into offense. So, Jani (Nyman) played well.â€

In between Nyman’s goals was a Schwartz marker, assisted by Wright and Dunn. Fisker Molgaard also picked up an assist on John Hayden’s goal, jumping on a loose puck after an offensive zone faceoff.

“This summer was very long for me – I spent four months training hard,†Nyman said of meeting what he knows is a huge training camp opportunity. “I tried doing everything (needed) so that one day, I can play in the NHL.â€

There may not be a player on the Kraken roster who shoots a puck like Nyman can. His release is quick and his shot is heavy, and in limited opportunities, he’s shown that it is more than capable of beating NHL goaltenders.

To make the team, Nyman will have to do more than score goals. A level of attentiveness to the defensive side of the game is vital.

Another young forward looking to make the Kraken’s opening night roster is Catton. The 19-year-old didn’t record with any points, but in 14:24 of ice time, Catton finished as a plus-2, with a Corsi for percentage of 62.50 and an expected goal percentage of 59.73, according to Natural Stat Trick.

He’ll be given another chance to create more offense, but it was a positive start for Catton.

Kraken’s Berkly Catton Embracing The Battles Of Training Camp; Taking Advantage Of Veteran Linemates
Seattle Kraken center Berkly Catton has two options: make the NHL roster out of camp, or return to the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL.

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September 15, 2025 | Alan Lane

The Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre came alive yesterday as players of all ages and abilities took part in the latest Ping Aspire Series event – a celebration of fun, friendly competition and the power of table tennis to bring people together.

From complete beginners to returning players, everyone had the chance to test their skills, make new friends and enjoy a buzzing day of matches. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with one player summing it up simply: “All of it – I loved every moment!â€

Inclusive, fun and inspiring
One of the standout aspects of the Aspire events is their inclusivity. Martin, who usually plays at a Parkinsonâ€s table tennis group, was thrilled to join in:
“Iâ€ve only been playing a year, and mostly socially, but I wanted to see how my game stood up against people without Parkinsonâ€s. I won a couple, lost a few, and made it through to the second round – which might have been a mistake because Iâ€m being battered! But Iâ€m learning loads. Itâ€s terrific to see the talent in these youngsters. Itâ€s been good fun and quite inspiring – makes you want to whoop!â€

Jonathan, who discovered the tournament through the Northants Table Tennis Facebook page, praised the balance of competition:
“I was expecting to completely lose a lot, but itâ€s great to see all the different levels here – anything can happen! The second stage, where you play people closer to your level, was especially fun and helped me think more about my style and decisions. Itâ€s really good experience.â€

For Pran Fernando, the event rekindled a passion from childhood:
“I played table tennis at school and university, then stopped for years. I got back into it recently with my local club, and entering this was perfect practice before the new season. Itâ€s definitely worthwhile if youâ€re new and looking to meet people and play at your own level. Huge thanks to Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre for a wonderful venue.â€

Strong competition across the board
The event wasnâ€t just about fun – the standard of play was impressively competitive, with thrilling rallies and plenty of surprises. Event sponsor Bribar generously provided vouchers for the winners and runners up.

Section 1 winner: Ben Stoneman
Runner-up: Jonathan Lane
Section 2 winner: Zachary Cliffe
Runner-up: Jack Burke
Congratulations to all the winners, and to every player who brought their best game and their best smiles.

A winning formula
Survey results from the day told the story loud and clear – with the majority of players giving Aspire top marks for enjoyment, organisation and inclusivity. Comments included “playing against different people I donâ€t usually face,†and “everybody was nice and friendly – Iâ€ll definitely recommend it to my friends.â€

The Aspire Series continues to grow in popularity, offering a perfect mix of fun, fairness and community spirit. Whether youâ€re picking up a bat for the first time, returning after years away, or sharpening your competitive edge, thereâ€s a place for you.

Ping Aspire is all about connection, competition and having a great time – and Milton Keynes was proof of just how magical that mix can be.

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The 2025 National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) Championships, held in Rockford, Illinois, from April 4–6, showcased the pinnacle of collegiate table tennis talent. As primary sponsors, Paddle Palace, Nittaku, and STIGA played pivotal roles in the event’s success.​

Posted by Paddle Palace Table Tennis on Saturday, April 19, 2025

Elevating the Championship Experience

Paddle Palace, alongside Nittaku and STIGA, contributed significantly to the tournament’s professional atmosphere:​

These contributions underscored the commitment to excellence and the advancement of collegiate table tennis.​

Celebrating Collegiate Talent

The championships highlighted the dedication and skill of student-athletes nationwide. The competitive spirit and sportsmanship displayed were commendable, reflecting the growth and popularity of table tennis at the collegiate level.​

Looking Ahead

Paddle Palace remains committed to supporting and promoting table tennis across all levels. The success of the 2025 NCTTA Championships sets a promising precedent for future collaborations and the continued growth of the sport.​

For more insights and highlights from the event, visit the NCTTA Championships News Page and Results Page.

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