Hockey and sports in general can be broken down into moments. Some moments are bigger than others and chart the course of a franchise and an entire league. These moments can define a team’s destiny for years to come. Last Word on Hockey’s Summer series looks at these defining moments. Today, we feature the defining moments of the Seattle Kraken.
The Defining Moments of the Kraken
The Kraken are the newest team in the NHL, with their inaugural season being in 2021-22. Although they may not have been around for long, the Kraken have provided their fans with some memorable moments. They may be only four years old, but we were able to identify some defining moments for the franchise.
Release the Kraken
Dating back to 1974, Seattle had an interest in bringing the NHL to their city. The city was granted a team in 1974, but the NHL pulled its expansion offer due to unpaid fees. The following year, the city attempted to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had filed for bankruptcy. However, they were unsuccessful in bringing the Pens to Seattle.
As fate would have it, things would soon change for the city.
The Run Up
In December of 2017, the Seattle City Council voted in favour of renovating KeyArena. Three days later, the NHL board of governors agreed to consider an expansion application from Seattle. Two months later, the Oak View Group (the group organizing the attempts to bring the NHL to Seattle) paid the expansion fee, ensuring the mistake from 1974 would not be repeated.
In March 2018, a ticket drive was launched to gauge fan interest in NHL hockey in the city. The Oak View Group had hoped to reach $10,000 worth of deposits for potential season tickets. That goal was reached within 12 minutes of the drive opening. Another step towards an expansion team was taken in October when the NHL Executive Committee unanimously agreed to recommend the expansion bid to a vote of the Board of Governors.
The Moment
On December 4, 2018, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously voted to grant Seattle an expansion team. Fans immediately had the opportunity to share feedback on the team name, uniform colors, ticket pricing, and seating arrangements. They were consistently kept informed about the latest news from the new franchise.
In July 2020, the franchise announced it would be known as the “Kraken.” The name was a popular choice among fans, as it referenced the city’s maritime culture.
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. Officially a franchise, the Kraken hired Dave Hakstol to be their first head coach. Their first roster was assembled mainly by the expansion draft, in which the Kraken selected players such as Mark Giordano and Jordan Eberle. In free agency, the Kraken obtained key players such as Jaden Schwartz and Philipp Grubauer.
The Aftermath
The Kraken played their first game on October 21, losing to the Vegas Golden Knights. Ryan Donato scored the first goal in Kraken history.
The Kraken finished their inaugural season with a 27-49-6 record. The team may have finished last in the Pacific Division, but NHL hockey was in Seattle at least. The Kraken were indeed released.
Other Kraken Defining Moments
Upsetting the Champions
In their second season, the Kraken reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Their opponent would be the reigning-Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche. The Kraken were underdogs in the first-round series, but surprised many by winning Game 1. As it turned out, the Kraken were ready to compete. After a win in Game 5, the Kraken took a 3-2 series lead back home with a chance to eliminate the champions.
However, the Avs won Game 6 to force a Game 7. Would the Kraken be able to win a winner-take-all game in enemy territory, or would the defending champs move on after a hard fight from the underdogs?
Behind two goals by Oliver Bjorkstrand and 32 saves by Grubauer, the Kraken won Game 7, 2-1, to upset the champions and advance to the second round. The Kraken would be eliminated in seven games by the Dallas Stars. Still, their upset of the reigning champions stands out in their early history.
Taking It Outside
In just their third season, the Kraken were named the hosts of the 2024 Winter Classic. The game would be played at T-Mobile Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners. The Kraken’s opponent would be another franchise that had recently entered the league, the Golden Knights.
Despite the short history of the Kraken, the NHL decorated T-Mobile Park in a way that paid homage to the city’s history and culture. The rink was surrounded by decorations in a nautical theme that reflected local heritage and the Kraken mythos. Topographic designs were laid on the surface, and the walkway between the rink and dugouts resembled docks and piers. Furthermore, a boathouse was used as a broadcast studio.
The Kraken’s sweaters for the game paid homage to hockey in Seattle, specifically the Seattle Metropolitans.
The Seattle Kraken’s Winter Classic jerseys have leaked via the @UtahJazz socials.
What do you think of their new threads? ?? pic.twitter.com/jO76MSzSEQ
— Hockey Jerseyz (@HKYJersey) November 18, 2023
As for the game, the Kraken shut out the Golden Knights, 3-0. It was the first shutout in the history of the Winter Classic.
Main Photo: Joe Nicholson- Imagn Images
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