Seattle Kraken Star Ryan Winterton Loses Brother to Cancer
The hockey world paused this week when Ryan Winterton, the 22-year-old Kraken center, shared devastating news on Instagram: his older brother Jacob had died Tuesday at age 25 after battling cancer.
In a raw and emotional post, Ryan opened up about losing someone who meant everything to him. "Today I lost my best friend," he wrote. "You weren't just someone I loved, you were someone I looked up to, someone who guided me, believed in me, and helped shape the person I am today."
A Bond That Shaped Him
The loss hits hard for the young Kraken forward, who reflected on the weight of watching his brother fight such a brutal battle. "Watching you fight so hard and still having to say goodbye is a pain that never really fades," Ryan shared. "I'll miss your voice, your advice, and the way you made everything feel a little less heavy."
Jacob, at 25, was Ryan's guide and rock. The kind of older brother who doesn't just exist in your life but actively shapes who you become. For Ryan, who is still building his NHL career in Seattle, losing that anchor is unimaginable.
The Kraken Community Mourns
Ryan's vulnerability on social media is a reminder that these guys in green and blue jerseys are real people dealing with real heartbreak. The Kraken organization and Seattle fans will undoubtedly rally around their young center during this incredibly difficult time.
Hockey brings people together, but sometimes it takes a tragedy to remind us what really matters. Ryan's tribute to Jacob is a love letter to an older brother who clearly made him who he is today.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.