The human body begins to be impacted by being a part of the National Hockey League around the season’s halfway point. The numerous bruises and bumps and scrapes and scrapes and the stress of playing four games over seven days begin to cause fatigue to even the most demanding players.
Colin Blackwell finds himself in the rare situation of not being a part of that majority. While he and the expanding Seattle Kraken come into Boston to play Boston Bruins on TD Garden Tuesday (7 p.m.) in the first-ever match, The veteran St. John’s Prep superstar is healthy, well-behaved, and ready to perform his best hockey in the 2021-22 period.
“Honestly, it’s the best I’ve felt for a while now,” said the forward who started the season by suffering a lower back injury that forced him to be absent from training camp and the beginning of the season. He was forced to withdraw from the team following his December absence after being put into the COVID protocol for the league.

“Especially these past few games, I’m feeling very well. I’m not experiencing any more pain or injury. I’m just skating and not worrying about anything,” Blackwell added. “I feel like I’m playing good hockey, and our team is turning into a new direction. I’m in good health and am fully prepared to play.”
5’9,190 pounds, which can play any position in the forward three, is currently skating left wing for the team’s fourth line, along with experienced center Riley Sheahan and former Bruin Karson Kuhlman. They are a fast grinding team.
After Sunday’s loss 3-2 at home in New York in the Rangers, Blackwell has four goals with three assists and seven points through 21 games, while he ranks third on the team’s shooting percentage, completing 16.4 percent of his shots.
Blackwell is trying to be a force in every game as a top-six forward, regardless of the role he’s expected to fill or the amount he is involved in a specific game.

“Mindset and confidence are huge things,” Blackwell said. Blackwell recorded his best career in all areas while playing in the Rangers in 2020-21, with 12-10-22 in 47 games. Blackwell was later selected for the Kraken in the expansion draft in the summer of last year.
“One thing I’ve certainly been trying to incorporate into my game is to have more of an attacking mindset and be efficient with the time I’m given. If I can hold on to the puck for a longer and make the most chances to shoot, it’s good for us. The more pucks you hit create more energy for the linemates, you, and your teammates, leading to scoring opportunities.
“We haven’t had many D-zone shifts the last few games,” he said, “but it makes sense that if you’re on a third or fourth-liner who is at home, you’ll likely be in a battle with the team’s top line since they’ve made the most recent change. Blocking shots is a huge benefit for me because it creates momentum and demonstrates defensive responsibilities. You can add it to your arsenal whatever you do to help build trust with your coaches and teammates.”

Although they haven’t had the kind of immediate success they did the Vegas Golden Knights did in their first campaign four years ago. However, the Kraken has successfully won four of the recent seven games and is expected to gain momentum as they move from January towards February.
Blackwell stated that the atmosphere of the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle has “been so passionate and fantastic” thanks to raucous and loyal fans, who are just beginning to learn about hockey and the long-time fans of the game. Blackwell has noticed many Kraken sweatshirts, hats, and other apparel throughout the downtown area. Blackwell lives with his girlfriend, Lauren, and their miniature Goldendoodle Bexley, soaking up the inaugural excitement team has generated in The Pacific Northwest.
Even though he’s not home as often as he’d prefer to playing his trade 3,057 miles away from his family’s residence at North Andover will do that — he is grateful for every opportunity to be a part of Boston in front of his parents and the close family members who attend St. John’s Prep.
Tuesday’s game against the Bruins on the TD Garden. TD Garden will mark Blackwell’s 102nd NHL game after crossing the century mark just four nights before in Pittsburgh.
“It means a lot to me,” Blackwell acknowledged. “From a child that was from North Andover Youth Hockey and St. John’s Prep, one who was forced to take so long away to play (at Harvard) because of injuries, and was close to putting down the hockey boots … I’m not taking 100 matches in the NHL lightly. I’m pretty proud of it.