History of the Kraken

The Seattle Kraken is 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, Kraken's name and branding were revealed. The Kraken is 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.

Established
2020

City
Seattle

League History
2021 – Present / National Hockey League

Team History
2021 – Present / Seattle Kraken

Nickname
Kraken – "Kraken" was a name that was already popular with fans prior to its official adoption. The franchise's promotional materials state that it was adopted to honor the maritime culture of Seattle, as well as in reference to the Giant Pacific octopus, the largest species of octopus in the world, which can be found in the waters of the Pacific Northwest.

Championship
Stanley Cup 0

Arena
2021 – Present / Climate Pledge Arena

Owner
2021 – Present / David Bonderman, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tod Leiweke

Retired Number
99 Wayne Gretzky

*Blue is this team’s history