Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team that joined the NHL during the 2021-22 season. They are part of the Western Conference's Pacific Division and play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena. The NHL approved their expansion franchise in December 2018, and in July 2020, the team's name and branding were revealed. The Kraken are significant as they mark the return of professional ice hockey to Seattle, the first since the Seattle Totems of the Western Hockey League in 1975, and they are the first Seattle team to compete for the Stanley Cup since the Seattle Metropolitans, who won the Cup in 1917 and ceased operations in 1924. In recognition of their historical connection, the team raised a banner commemorating the 1917 title team on October 26, 2021.
The Seattle Kraken's inaugural season was highly anticipated, and they quickly established themselves as a team with a unique identity and passionate fan support. Led by general manager Ron Francis and head coach Dave Hakstol, the Kraken aimed to build a competitive roster, blending experienced players with promising young talent selected through the NHL Expansion Draft. While facing the challenges typical of an expansion team, the Kraken showed flashes of potential and resilience on the ice. The team's culture, highlighted by their "Release the Kraken" rallying cry, swiftly became ingrained in the city's sports scene, capturing the imagination of fans and fostering a sense of unity and excitement as they embarked on their NHL journey. As the Kraken continue to carve their path in the league, they represent not only a new era for Seattle hockey but also a symbol of the city's resilience and enduring love for the sport.