Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken: A New Chapter in Ice Hockey

Imagine a city, a metropolis that has longed for its own professional ice hockey team. That dream became reality with the arrival of the Seattle Kraken. Founded after years of anticipation and planning, this expansion franchise brought excitement to the frozen arenas of Seattle.

The Journey Begins: From Proposal to Playoffs

Back in 1915, the Pacific Coast Hockey Association’s Seattle Metropolitans laid the groundwork for professional ice hockey in Seattle. Fast forward nearly a century and a half later, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved an expansion team proposal from Seattle Hockey Partners. The Kraken began operations in mid-2019, marking the 32nd franchise in the league.

Building the Team: From Draft to First Game

The Kraken hired Ron Francis as their general manager and announced their team name, branding, and home jersey in July 2020. The team’s first player signing came on May 12, with Dave Hakstol being named head coach. They signed Adam Larsson, Jamie Oleksiak, and Chris Driedger during a three-day period before an expansion draft.

With Matty Beniers selected as the second overall pick in the 2021 NHL entry draft, the Kraken began their journey with high hopes. Alexander Wennberg and Jaden Schwartz joined the team through free agency, while Philipp Grubauer was signed to bolster the goaltending position.

First Season: From Struggles to Success

The Kraken’s inaugural season saw them struggle offensively, ranking 29th in goals with only 217. However, they picked up momentum and clinched their first playoff berth on April 6, 2023. They upset the Colorado Avalanche in the first round but lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round.

Despite a challenging start, the Kraken’s second season was improved with a record of 46–28–8 and 100 points. Matty Beniers was named NHL rookie of the year at the 2023 awards ceremony, cementing his place in the team’s history.

Off-Season Moves: Building for the Future

The Kraken’s third season saw them struggle offensively once again, ranking 29th in goals. However, they had an eight-game win streak during which goaltender Joey Daccord started for nine consecutive games. After a disappointing season, head coach Dave Hakstol was fired and replaced by Dan Bylsma on May 28.

In July 2024, the Kraken made history by hiring Jessica Campbell as their first female assistant coach. Jordan Eberle was named the second captain in franchise history in October 2024, adding depth to the leadership structure of the team.

On Ice and Off: The Team’s Identity

The Kraken play at Climate Pledge Arena, which has a seating capacity of 17,151. The arena features the team’s primary practice facility, the Kraken Community Iceplex, which opened in September 2021. In-arena entertainment includes the use of the MV Hyak ferry boat horn and playing Nirvana’s ‘Lithium’ after every goal at home.

The team also features a postgame tradition where players toss plush toy salmon into the crowd to mimic Seattle’s Pike Place Market fish toss, creating an engaging experience for fans. The Kraken have a Scandinavian origin in their name, which was adopted to honor the maritime culture of Seattle and the Giant Pacific octopus.

Team Uniforms: A Reflection of Heritage

The Kraken unveiled their ‘Reverse Retro’ uniform for the 2022-23 season, featuring an ice blue base with deep sea blue striping. In 2024, they wore a uniform inspired by the Seattle Metropolitans, which featured a deep sea blue uniform with a red ‘S’ and ice blue, vintage white, and deep sea blue stripes.

Buoy, a sea troll, is the Kraken’s mascot. He was introduced prior to a preseason home game against the Vancouver Canucks on October 1, 2022. The team has retired numbers 32 and 99 in honor of Pete Muldoon and Wayne Gretzky.

Media Coverage: Bringing the Game Home

Kraken games are televised through the Kraken Hockey Network (KHN) and broadcasted on KJR-FM 93.3 and KJR 950 AM, with John Forslund serving as the team’s television play-by-play announcer and J.T. Brown as the primary television color analyst. Everett Fitzhugh is the team’s primary radio play-by-play announcer, becoming the first Black full-time play-by-play announcer in NHL history.

The Kraken’s minor league affiliates are the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) and the Kansas City Mavericks (ECHL). The team is owned by Seattle Hockey Partners, with key members including Jerry Bruckheimer, Tod Leiweke, Adrian Hanauer, Andy Jassy, Tim Leiweke, Marshawn Lynch, and Macklemore.

The current roster includes players such as Mark Giordano, Jordan Eberle, and Matty Beniers. The team has retired numbers 32 and 99 in honor of Pete Muldoon and Wayne Gretzky. Calder Memorial Trophy: Matty Beniers

Franchise records include the most games played (Adam Larsson), most goals (Jared McCann), most points (Jared McCann), and most assists (Vince Dunn).

The Seattle Kraken have not only brought professional ice hockey back to the city but have also become a symbol of community spirit and innovation. As they continue to evolve, one thing is certain: the Kraken are here to stay, and their journey in the NHL is just beginning.