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Seattle Kraken

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Seattle Kraken
2021–22 Seattle Kraken season
ConferenceWestern
DivisionPacific
Founded2021
HistorySeattle Kraken
2021–present
Home arenaClimate Pledge Arena
CitySeattle, Washington
Team colorsDeep sea blue, ice blue, boundless blue, shadow blue, red alert[1][2][3]
         
MediaRoot Sports Northwest
Sports Radio 950 KJR
Owner(s)Seattle Hockey Partners
General managerRon Francis
Head coachDave Hakstol
CaptainMark Giordano
Minor league affiliatesCoachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) Allen Americans (ECHL)
Stanley Cups0
Conference championships0
Presidents' Trophy0
Division championships0
Official websitenhl.com/kraken

The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle. The Kraken compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and began play during the league's 2021–22 season. They play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena.

In December 2018, the NHL approved a proposal by Seattle Hockey Partners to grant an expansion franchise to the city of Seattle. In July 2020, the Kraken's name and branding were revealed.[4] The Kraken are the first professional hockey team to play in Seattle since the Seattle Totems of the Western Hockey League played their last game in 1975, and the first Seattle hockey team to compete for the Stanley Cup since the Seattle Metropolitans, who won the cup in 1917 and folded in 1924. On October 26, 2021, the team raised a banner commemorating the 1917 title team.[5]

History

Establishment

Further information: Ice hockey in Seattle

The NHL Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve Seattle's expansion team on December 4, 2018, to begin play in the 2021–22 season as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. As a result, the Arizona Coyotes were to be shifted from the Pacific Division to the Central Division to balance out the four divisions at eight teams each. The organization hired Ron Francis as their general manager to initiate operations for the team.[6]

On July 23, 2020, the franchise announced their team name, the Seattle Kraken, as well as their team colors, branding, and home jersey.[7] The team's name comes from the mythical kraken of Scandinavian folklore and its resemblance to the native giant Pacific octopus, which is found in the waters of the Puget Sound, near Seattle.[8] On April 30, 2021, the franchise paid the final installment of the $650 million expansion fee, officially making the Seattle Kraken the 32nd team of the NHL.[9][10]

First season

Main article: 2021–22 Seattle Kraken season

On June 24, 2021, the organization hired Dave Hakstol as their inaugural head coach.[11] An expansion draft was held on July 21, 2021, in a similar manner to a previous expansion draft held in 2017 for the Vegas Golden Knights, who were themselves exempt from the 2021 expansion draft.[12][13][14]

During the 2021 preseason, the Kraken played their three home games in the home arenas of three Washington state Western Hockey League teams, the Spokane Chiefs, Everett Silvertips, and Seattle Thunderbirds. On October 11, the Kraken named Mark Giordano the team's first captain.[15] They played their first regular season game on October 12, 2021, a 4–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Ryan Donato scored the team's first goal. The Kraken's first win came in their second game on October 14, when they defeated the Nashville Predators 4–3.[16]

After their first win at home against the Montreal Canadiens on October 26, the Kraken featured a new postgame tradition during the "Three Stars of the Game" ceremony. Instead of the honored players tossing conventional souvenir pucks or sticks to the fans, they threw a plush stuffed toy sockeye salmon into the crowd to mimic Seattle's Pike Place Market fish toss and what the Northwest wild-caught salmon represents to the state of Washington. The "fish toss" idea came from the Kraken's game-night experience team, which includes Jonny Greco and Ayron Sequeira.[17]

Arena

The Kraken Community Iceplex in Northgate serves as the team's training facility

The team play home games at Climate Pledge Arena.[18][19] The arena, at Seattle Center, is a $930 million redevelopment of the former KeyArena and Seattle Center Coliseum. Amazon.com bought the naming rights to Climate Pledge Arena and chose to name the venue after its environmental goals.[20]

The team's primary practice facility, named the Kraken Community Iceplex, is located at Northgate Station (formerly Northgate Mall) and opened in September 2021. The facility has three rinks and is open to the public.[21]

The Kraken's three home preseason games prior to the 2021–22 season were held at Spokane Arena, Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, and the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, which are all home to Western Hockey League (WHL) teams. Tickets were sold by the host WHL teams.[22]

The Kraken played their first home game at Climate Pledge Arena on October 23, 2021, a 4–2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Vince Dunn scored the first goal in the arena's history for Seattle.[23] They won their first game in the arena on October 26, 2021, a 5-1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

Broadcasting

Everett Fitzhugh serves as the team's primary radio play-by-play announcer. Fitzhugh had previously done play-by-play for the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones. He is the first full-time play-by-play announcer of African-American heritage in NHL history.[24][25] Former NHL player and Vancouver Canucks broadcaster Dave Tomlinson serves as Fitzhugh's color analyst.[26] Fitzhugh tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the Kraken's first regular-season road trip; on radio broadcasts, TV announcer John Forslund and veteran KJR broadcaster Ian Furness filled in on play-by-play duties.[27]

Kraken games are broadcast on 950 KJR with some games on 96.5 KJAQ.[28][29] Other stations on the "Kraken Audio Network" include 1450 KONP in Port Angeles.[30] KALE (960 AM, " Richland, Washington ,[1]

Kraken games are broadcast regionally on Root Sports Northwest for the team's first five seasons. Former Hartford Whalers and Carolina Hurricanes broadcaster John Forslund serves as the team's television play-by-play announcer.[25][31] J. T. Brown is the television analyst.[32]

Minor league affiliates

The Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Kraken, are based in Thousand Palms, California.[33] Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and delays in building their new arena, the Firebirds will not begin play until the 2022–23 season.[34]

The Charlotte Checkers, the primary AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers, also serve as the AHL affiliate for the Kraken during the 2021–22 season due to the delay in the Kraken's AHL team. The Checkers, an independently owned AHL team, had been the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes while the Kraken's general manager Ron Francis was working for the Hurricanes.[35]

Players and personnel

Current roster

As of December 19, 2024.[36][37]

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
10 United States Matty Beniers (A) C L 22 2021 Hingham, Massachusetts
22 Denmark Oliver Bjorkstrand RW R 29 2022 Herning, Denmark
95 Sweden Andre Burakovsky LW L 29 2022 Klagenfurt, Austria
35 United States Joey Daccord G L 28 2021 Boston, Massachusetts
29 Canada Vince Dunn D L 28 2021 Mississauga, Ontario
7 Canada Jordan Eberle (C) Injured Reserve RW R 34 2021 Regina, Saskatchewan
41 Canada Ryker Evans D L 23 2021 Calgary, Alberta
37 Canada Yanni Gourde (A) C L 33 2021 Saint-Narcisse, Quebec
31 Germany Philipp Grubauer G L 33 2021 Rosenheim, Germany
12 Canada Tye Kartye LW L 23 2022 Kingston, Ontario
84 Finland Kaapo Kakko RW L 23 2024 Turku, Finland
6 Sweden Adam Larsson (A) D R 32 2021 Skellefteå, Sweden
28 Canada Josh Mahura D L 26 2024 St. Albert, Alberta
19 Canada Jared McCann C L 28 2021 Stratford, Ontario
62 Canada Brandon Montour D R 30 2024 Ohsweken, Ontario
24 Canada Jamie Oleksiak D L 32 2021 Toronto, Ontario
17 Canada Jaden Schwartz (A) LW L 32 2021 Melfort, Saskatchewan
91 Netherlands Daniel Sprong RW R 27 2024 Amsterdam, Netherlands
9 Canada Chandler Stephenson C L 30 2024 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
13 Canada Brandon Tanev LW L 32 2021 Toronto, Ontario
20 Finland Eeli Tolvanen RW L 25 2022 Vihti, Finland
51 Canada Shane Wright C R 20 2022 Burlington, Ontario


Owners

The team is owned by Seattle Hockey Partners, an organization originally consisting of David Bonderman, Jerry Bruckheimer and Tod Leiweke.[38] Minority owners of the Kraken include Chris Ackerley, Ted Ackerley, Jay Deutsch, Mitch Garber, Adrian Hanauer, Andy Jassy, Len Potter, David Wright, and Jeff Wright.[39][40][41]

Ron Francis and Dave Hakstol are serving as the Kraken franchise's first general manager and head coach, respectively

General managers

Head coaches

Captains

Retired numbers

  • 32 was retired on October 23, 2021, immediately before the team played their first regular season home game, in recognition of the team being the 32nd to join the NHL and in honor of the 32,000 fans who placed deposits for tickets on the first possible day.[42]
  • 99 was retired by the NHL for all its member teams in honor of Wayne Gretzky at the 2000 NHL All-Star Game.[43]

References

  1. ^ Condor, Bob (July 25, 2020). "Color Guardians". NHLSeattle.com. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. ^ "Seattle Kraken". SeattleKrakenHockey.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  3. ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (July 23, 2020). "Seattle Kraken reveal nickname for NHL expansion team". NHL.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  4. ^ Condor, Bob (July 23, 2020). "Say It with Us: Release the Kraken!". NHL.com. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "Kraken raise Metropolitans Stanley Cup banner at Climate Pledge Arena". NHL.com. October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Quinn, Patrick (July 18, 2019). "NHL Seattle names Ron Francis as first general manager of hockey franchise". KOMO. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  7. ^ Booth, Tim (July 23, 2020). "Release the Kraken: Seattle unveils name for NHL franchise". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  8. ^ "NHL's Seattle team unveils 'Kraken' name along with logo, jersey design - Sportsnet.ca". www.sportsnet.ca. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  9. ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (April 30, 2021). "Kraken officially join NHL after final expansion payment". NHL.com. NHL Enterprises, L.P. Retrieved July 19, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Seattle Kraken officially become NHL's 32nd team after final expansion payment". Sportsnet. April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Condor, Bob (June 24, 2021). "Getting it 'Right'". NHL.com. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  12. ^ Rosen, Dan (December 4, 2018). "Seattle NHL expansion approved by Board of Governors". NHL.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  13. ^ Cotsonika, Nicholas J. (December 4, 2018). "Seattle expansion frequently asked questions". NHL.com. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  14. ^ Stolzenberg, Holger (December 20, 2020). "Seattle Kraken expansion draft set for July 21". MSN. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  15. ^ "Mark Giordano becomes Seattle Kraken's first team captain". king5.com. October 11, 2021.
  16. ^ "Kraken get first win, hold off Predators". NHL.com. October 14, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  17. ^ "Fish toss: Kraken fete fans with stuffed salmon". October 28, 2021.
  18. ^ "NHL Seattle expansion team to play at Climate Pledge Arena". NHL.com. June 25, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  19. ^ Condor, Bob (June 24, 2020). "Making the 'Climate Pledge'". NHLSeattle.com. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  20. ^ Long, Michael (June 26, 2020). "Amazon deal sees Seattle's NHL venue renamed Climate Pledge Arena". Sportspromedia.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  21. ^ Baker, Geoff (June 30, 2021). "Seattle's NHL practice facility named Kraken Community Iceplex after partnership deal with Starbucks". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  22. ^ "Seattle Kraken announce preseason schedule". KING-TV. July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  23. ^ "Expansion Kraken fall in home debut 4-2 to Vancouver". ESPN. October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  24. ^ Douglas, William (August 7, 2020). "Kraken set to have first Black full-time NHL team play-by-play announcer". NHL.com. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  25. ^ a b Clark, Ryan S. "Seattle Kraken hire John Forslund and announce TV broadcast deal". The Athletic. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  26. ^ Patrick Johnston (October 23, 2021). "From the Canucks to the Kraken: Dave Tomlinson jumps back into radio". The Province. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  27. ^ Stone, Larry (October 15, 2021). "KJR's Ian Furness savors long-awaited opportunity during broadcast of Kraken's first victory". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  28. ^ "The Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena Announce Regional Partnership with iHeartMedia Seattle". PR Newswire. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  29. ^ Baker, Geoff (March 3, 2021). "Sports Radio KJR named Kraken flagship station". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  30. ^ "KONP to air Seattle Kraken NHL games". MYClallamCounty.com. October 6, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  31. ^ McIntosh, Andrew (January 26, 2021). "NHL's Seattle Kraken signs multiyear TV broadcast rights deal". Puget Sound Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  32. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (June 21, 2021). "Brown to retire, join Kraken as television analyst". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  33. ^ "AHL expanding to Palm Springs in 2021-22". theahl.com. September 30, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  34. ^ Powers, Shad. "'We were worried': Hockey to remain in the Coachella Valley despite arena move". The Desert Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  35. ^ Pelletier, Justin (July 2, 2021). "No longer affiliated with the Canes, the AHL's Checkers now have two NHL parent clubs". The Herald-Sun. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  36. ^ "Seattle Kraken Roster". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  37. ^ "Seattle Kraken Hockey Transactions". The Sports Network. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  38. ^ Barberio, Anthony (December 24, 2019). "Who Are the Owners of Seattle's Expansion NHL Team?". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  39. ^ "Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy joins NHL ownership group aiming to bring pro hockey to Seattle". GeekWire. September 5, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  40. ^ Baker, Geoff (September 5, 2018). "NHL Seattle minority owners include Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer and family of former Sonics owner". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  41. ^ "For Seattle NHL owner Mitch Garber, it's always been sports first". The Seattle Times. June 7, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  42. ^ "Kraken retire No. 32 before home opener to honor fans". NHL.com. October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  43. ^ "Perfect setting: Gretzky's number retired before All-Star Game". CNN Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. February 6, 2000. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
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