This past offseason, New York Islanders’ forward Jordan Eberle was selected in the NHL Expansion Draft by the Seattle Kraken. Ultimately, the Islanders chose to protect the fourth line forwards Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck over Eberle. The decision by Islanders’ general manager Lou Lamoriello to not break up the fourth line was a little controversial. Nonetheless, Eberle was shipped off to Seattle. Now as a member of the Kraken, Eberle recently made history, scoring the first hat trick for the organization.

This hat trick came in a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres Thursday evening. It was Eberle’s fourth career hat trick. The other three hat tricks came when Eberle was an Edmonton Oiler or an Islander. Eberle scored two hat tricks with the Oilers and only one hat trick with the Islanders. Eberle’s hat trick with the Islanders occurred last season against the Detroit Red Wings in a 4-1 win.

Considering that Eberle has 559 points in 791 career games and over 240 goals, it is surprising that the talented forward only has four career hat tricks. Nonetheless, the Canadian winger made history against the Buffalo Sabres. Every Islanders’ fan should be thrilled Eberle is lighting it up in his new home.

Eberle’s hat trick was even more special as it occurred on home ice. And on top of that, Eberle scored a natural hat trick. Eberle’s hat trick put him alongside nine other players in NHL history to also score a natural hat trick in an expansion team’s inaugural season. Additionally, Eberle’s natural hat trick in an expansion team’s first season is the quickest in NHL history.

Eberle will look to continue his hot start when the Kraken battle the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday evening at T-Mobile Arena.

Ethan Halle

Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.