Kraken Forward Ryan Winterton Mourns Loss of His Best Friend and Brother
The Seattle Kraken family is grieving tonight. Jacob Winterton, the older brother of Kraken forward Ryan Winterton, died Tuesday at age 25 following a battle with cancer. The news hit hard, and Ryan, who is 22, shared his pain publicly on Instagram in a way that will stick with anyone who reads it.
A Brother, A Guide, A Best Friend
"Today I lost my best friend," Ryan posted. "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."
Those words say everything about what Jacob meant to him. This wasn't just a sibling relationship. Jacob was Ryan's rock, his mentor, his biggest believer during a time when the young center is building his career in the NHL. Jacob was there through it all, offering guidance and support as Ryan climbed toward his dream.
The Weight of Watching and Saying Goodbye
Ryan also spoke to the crushing reality of watching someone you love fight so hard and still have to let them go. "Watching you fight so hard and still having to say goodbye is a pain that never really fades," he wrote. "I'll miss your voice, your advice, and the way you made everything feel a little less heavy."
That last line is haunting. Jacob had a gift for making things easier, for lifting the weight off Ryan's shoulders when things got tough. Those moments, that presence, that brotherly support is gone now.
Green and Blue Stands With Ryan
The entire Kraken organization and Seattle sports community will rally around Ryan during this impossibly difficult time. There's no playbook for grief, no way to prepare for losing someone this central to your life. All we can do is remember that Jacob shaped who Ryan is today, and that connection will never fade.
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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.