Seattle Kraken Overview
The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle, Washington. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. Founded in 2021, the Kraken play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena and are owned by Seattle Hockey Partners, led by Jerry Bruckheimer, Tod Leiweke, and Samantha Holloway. The team is recognized for its distinctive deep sea blue, ice blue, boundless blue, shadow blue, and red alert colors, and their mascot, Buoy, a sea troll inspired by local Seattle culture. Despite being a new franchise, the Kraken made history by becoming the first expansion team to win a playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champions in 2023.
Founding and Organizational Origins
The Seattle Kraken were established following the NHL’s approval of an expansion franchise for Seattle, with the ownership group Seattle Hockey Partners spearheading the effort. The group includes notable figures such as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tod Leiweke, Samantha Holloway, Adrian Hanauer, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Tim Leiweke, Marshawn Lynch, and Macklemore. The team’s creation was part of a broader initiative to bring NHL hockey back to Seattle, a city with a rich hockey history dating back to the early 20th century. The franchise was officially founded in 2021 after the final installment of the $650 million expansion fee was paid.
Growth Into NHL Competition
The Kraken began their NHL journey in the 2021–22 season. The organization quickly established its operational structure, hiring Ron Francis as president of hockey operations and Jason Botterill as general manager. Lane Lambert serves as head coach. The team built its roster through the 2021 expansion draft and free agency, focusing on speed, character, and competitiveness. The Kraken also developed affiliations with minor league teams, including the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the AHL and the Kansas City Mavericks in the ECHL, to support player development.
Seattle Kraken Competitive Journey
Since their inception, the Seattle Kraken have progressed rapidly in the NHL, moving from a struggling inaugural season to a playoff contender in their second year. Their competitive journey reflects steady growth and increasing stability within the league.
Early Seasons and Development (2021–2022)
The Kraken’s first NHL season was challenging, finishing last in the Pacific Division with 60 points. The team faced the typical hurdles of a new franchise, including building chemistry and establishing a competitive identity. Early signings such as Alexander Wennberg, Jaden Schwartz, and goaltender Philipp Grubauer helped form the core roster. The team’s first home game was held at the renovated Climate Pledge Arena, formerly KeyArena. The Kraken retired jersey number 32 to honor their status as the 32nd NHL franchise and the 32,000 fans who placed ticket deposits.
Breakthrough in NHL (2022–2023)
In their second season, the Kraken showed significant improvement, finishing with a 46–28–8 record and 100 points, securing a playoff spot as the first wild card in the Western Conference. They made history by defeating the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, in the first round of the playoffs, becoming the first expansion team to win their initial playoff series against the reigning champions. The playoff run ended in the second round against the Dallas Stars. Matty Beniers, a standout rookie, won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2023–Present)
The Kraken continue to evolve under the leadership of general manager Jason Botterill and head coach Lane Lambert. The team has invested in infrastructure, including the Kraken Community Iceplex practice facility. The Kraken maintain strong affiliations with their AHL and ECHL partners to nurture talent. The franchise also emphasizes community engagement and cultural identity, reflected in their mascot Buoy and unique game-day traditions. Recent seasons have seen coaching changes aimed at improving performance and long-term competitiveness.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Seattle Kraken focus on speed, character, and competitiveness, aiming to build a resilient and dynamic team. Their strategy emphasizes strong defensive play combined with opportunistic offense, leveraging their young talent and experienced leadership.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key moments include the franchise’s first goal by Vince Dunn, the first home shutout victory, the historic 2023 playoff series win over the defending Stanley Cup champions, and Matty Beniers’ Calder Trophy win. The retirement of jersey number 32 and the introduction of mascot Buoy also stand as significant cultural milestones.
Seattle Kraken Achievements and Results
The Seattle Kraken have quickly established themselves as a competitive NHL franchise, achieving notable milestones including their first playoff appearance and historic playoff series victory.
NHL Achievements
Although the Kraken have yet to win a Stanley Cup or division title, their rapid ascent to the playoffs in just their second season is a significant achievement. The team’s first playoff series win against the Colorado Avalanche marked a landmark moment in NHL expansion history.
Conference Achievements
Competing in the Western Conference, the Kraken secured a playoff berth in the 2022–23 season, finishing fourth in the Pacific Division and earning the first wild card spot. This playoff qualification highlighted the team’s competitive growth within the conference.
Divisional Achievements
As members of the Pacific Division, the Kraken have yet to claim a division championship but have demonstrated steady improvement and competitiveness against established teams.
Series Achievements
The Kraken’s most notable series achievement is their 2023 playoff series victory over the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, a first for an NHL expansion team. This victory underscored the team’s potential and resilience early in their franchise history.