Kraken’s Ville Ottavainen fined for altercation in preseason game

It’s preseason for the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, too, but Thursday’s game between the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames gave them a chance to shake off some rust.

During a 4-3 shootout win for the Kraken, Seattle defenseman Ville Ottavainen took a hit from Flames forward Brennan Othmann in the corner. Ottavainen proceeded to grab Othmann around the head, fling him to the ice, and deliver multiple punches while Othmann curled into a protective posture. Naturally, several other players skated over to involve themselves in the skirmish.

On Friday, the NHL Department of Player safety announced that they are fining Ottavainen $2,190.72, the maximum allowable amount under the collective bargaining agreement, for his role as the aggressor in the incident.

It’s important to note that Ottavainen’s actions on Thursday were likely a reaction to more than just the hit that immediately preceded them. During Seattle’s 4-2 preseason win over Calgary on September 20, Othmann delivered a high hit to Ottavainen along the boards, appearing to leave his feet with his elbow up.

Othmann received a five-minute major and game misconduct for the hit. Ottavainen might have ‘taken a number’ so to speak, and when he bumped into Othmann on Thursday, decided to take his opportunity for retribution.

Ottavainen, 24, spent all of last season with the Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he had three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 53 games. He then contributed a goal and three assists for four points in Coachella Valley’s 12 playoff games.

Initially selected by Seattle in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Ottavainen’s only appearance in a regular season NHL game so far came in 2024-25 season, in which he notched an assist.

The Kraken finish their preseason at the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday before beginning their regular season in Calgary on October 1.