History of Seattle Kraken in Timeline

The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle, Washington. They joined the National Hockey League (NHL) as an expansion team and began playing in the 2021-22 season. The Kraken compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Their home games are played at Climate Pledge Arena. The team's arrival marked the return of NHL hockey to Seattle after a long absence.

1915: Formation of Seattle Metropolitans

In 1915, professional ice hockey in Seattle started with the formation of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association's Seattle Metropolitans.

1917: Metropolitans Win Stanley Cup

In 1917, the Metropolitans became the first United States-based team to win the Stanley Cup.

1924: Sale of Metropolitans' Arena

In 1924, the Seattle Metropolitans' arena was sold, leading to the team's folding shortly after.

1944: Seattle Totems (Ironmen) formed

In 1944, the Seattle Totems (originally the Seattle Ironmen) began playing in the Western Hockey League.

1975: Dissolution of Western Hockey League

In 1975, the Western Hockey League dissolved, ending the run of the Seattle Totems.

1977: Slap Shot Film Release

In 1977, Rod Masters was the organist from the film Slap Shot.

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2008: Relocation of Seattle SuperSonics

In 2008, the Seattle SuperSonics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) were relocated to Oklahoma City, which prompted new arena proposals for bringing an NHL team to Seattle.

February 16, 2012: Plan to Build New Arena in SoDo District Announced

On February 16, 2012, a plan was announced to build a new arena in Seattle's SoDo district, spearheaded by Chris Hansen's investment group, with the goal of bringing back the SuperSonics and potentially an NHL team.

January 31, 2013: Phoenix Coyotes Purchase Deadline Missed

On January 31, 2013, Greg Jamison was unable to meet a deadline to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes, leading to speculation about the team's possible relocation to Seattle.

June 16, 2013: Confirmation of Phoenix Coyotes Potential Move to Seattle

On June 16, 2013, it was confirmed that the Phoenix Coyotes would move to Seattle if an arena deal in Glendale was not reached. Ray Bartozek and Anthony Lanza would purchase the franchise for US$220 million and begin operations in Seattle for the following season.

July 3, 2013: Glendale City Council Votes to Keep Phoenix Coyotes

On July 3, 2013, the Glendale City Council narrowly voted 4–3 to keep the Phoenix Coyotes in Glendale, preventing the team's relocation to Seattle.

December 4, 2017: Seattle City Council Approves KeyArena Renovation Memorandum

On December 4, 2017, the Seattle City Council voted 7–1 in favor of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Seattle and Oak View Group for renovations of KeyArena.

2017: Vegas Golden Knights Expansion Draft

In 2017, a previous expansion draft was held for the Vegas Golden Knights, who were themselves exempt from the 2021 expansion draft.

June 26, 2019: Palm Springs chosen as site for AHL affiliate

On June 26, 2019, it was reported that the Seattle ownership group had chosen Palm Springs as the site for Seattle's AHL affiliate.

September 30, 2019: Expansion franchise approved by AHL

On September 30, 2019, the expansion franchise in Palm Springs was approved by the AHL Board of Governors, with plans to begin play in the 2021–22 season.

2019: Ron Francis Hired as General Manager

In 2019, the Seattle Kraken organization hired Ron Francis as their general manager to initiate operations for the team.

June 25, 2020: Amazon Buys Naming Rights, Venue Renamed

On June 25, 2020, Amazon bought the naming rights to KeyArena and chose to rename the venue Climate Pledge Arena due to their environmental goals.

July 2020: Seattle Kraken Name Announced

In July 2020, the franchise announced their team name—the Seattle Kraken—as well as their team colors, branding, and home jersey.

July 23, 2020: Team Branding Reveal

On July 23, 2020, the Seattle Kraken held an event to reveal their team branding, including the team's name which was adopted to honor the maritime culture of Seattle. The colors chosen were ice blue, boundless blue, shadow blue and red alert.

April 30, 2021: Seattle Kraken Officially Become NHL's 32nd Team

On April 30, 2021, the franchise paid the final installment of the US$650 million expansion fee, officially making the Seattle Kraken the 32nd team of the NHL.

July 28, 2021: Kraken Sign Free Agents

On July 28, 2021, the Kraken started their inaugural free agency, signing forwards Alexander Wennberg and Jaden Schwartz, and goaltender Philipp Grubauer.

September 2021: Kraken Community Iceplex Opens

In September 2021, the Kraken's primary practice facility, named the Kraken Community Iceplex, opened at Northgate Station. The facility has three rinks and is open to the public.

October 23, 2021: First Kraken Goal Scored at Climate Pledge Arena

On October 23, 2021, Vince Dunn scored the first Kraken goal in the arena's history at Climate Pledge Arena.

October 26, 2021: "Three Stars" Postgame Tradition

On October 26, 2021, after their first win at home, the Kraken featured a new postgame tradition where the honored players throw a plush toy salmon into the crowd during the "Three Stars of the Game" ceremony.

November 5, 2021: Coachella Valley Firebirds name revealed

On November 5, 2021, the Coachella Valley Firebirds' name, logos, and colors were revealed at a ceremony on the construction site of their new arena.

2021: Rod Master's tenure begins

In 2021, Rod Masters started as the organist for the Kraken.

2021: 3-Rink Rush Preseason Games

In 2021, the Kraken's three home preseason games were held at Spokane Arena in Spokane, Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, and the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent, in an event known as the 3-Rink Rush.

2021: Seattle Kraken Begin Play

In 2021, the Seattle Kraken began playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference. The team was founded after the NHL approved a proposal by Seattle Hockey Partners to grant an expansion franchise to the city of Seattle. They play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena.

2021: Kraken Uniforms Seen at NHL Expansion Draft

The first time Kraken uniforms were seen on players was at the 2021 NHL expansion draft.

January 1, 2022: Rod Masters Becomes Kraken Organist

On January 1, 2022, Rod Masters, the organist from the 1977 film Slap Shot, became the organist for the Kraken starting with the team's home game against the New York Islanders. As Climate Pledge Arena does not have an organ, Masters played music using electronic keyboards.

January 17, 2022: Introduction of team dog, Davy Jones

On January 17, 2022, the Kraken introduced Davy Jones, a four-month-old husky mix rescue dog, as the "team dog." Davy Jones socialized with fans at home games while training to be a therapy dog.

February 2, 2022: Philipp Grubauer Records First Shutout

On February 2, 2022, Grubauer recorded the franchise's first shutout, making 19 saves in a 3–0 victory against the New York Islanders.

February 17, 2022: First all-Black broadcast duo in NHL history

On February 17, 2022, the Kraken's television broadcast against the Winnipeg Jets featured Everett Fitzhugh as play-by-play announcer and J. T. Brown as color commentator, marking the first all-Black broadcast duo in NHL history.

April 29, 2022: First Kraken Shutout Win at Home

On April 29, 2022, the Kraken achieved their first shutout win at home, with a 3–0 victory over the San Jose Sharks, marking the final home game of their inaugural season.

July 13, 2022: Kraken Sign Martin Jones

On July 13, 2022, the team signed goaltender Martin Jones to a one-year contract.

August 2022: Eddie Olczyk hired as television analyst

In August 2022, the Seattle Kraken hired Eddie Olczyk to be a television analyst, joining John Forslund and J. T. Brown.

October 1, 2022: Introduction of Buoy

On October 1, 2022, prior to a preseason home game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Kraken introduced Buoy, a sea troll and the team's mascot. Reaction to Buoy's debut was polarized.

October 20, 2022: Kraken Unveil "Reverse Retro" Uniform

On October 20, 2022, the Kraken unveiled their "Reverse Retro" uniform for the 2022–23 season, featuring an ice blue base with deep sea blue striping. The design was a callback to the Seattle Ironmen, a defunct Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL) team that existed in the 1940s.

January 2023: Franchise Wins All Seven Games of Road Trip

In January 2023, Jones backstopped the Kraken through seven games of an eight-game win streak, becoming the first team to win all seven games of a seven-game road trip.

August 2023: Al Kinisky hired as radio color analyst

In August 2023, Al Kinisky was hired by the Kraken to replace Dave Tomlinson as radio color analyst.

November 22, 2023: Kraken's 2024 Winter Classic uniform unveiling

On November 22, 2023, the Seattle Kraken officially unveiled their uniform for the 2024 Winter Classic, inspired by the Seattle Metropolitans' 1917 championship team. The deep sea blue uniform features a red "S" logo and vintage stripes.

2023: Kraken Qualify for Playoffs

In 2023, the Kraken qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time and upset the Colorado Avalanche in seven games, becoming the first team to win their inaugural playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup champion. However, they lost to the Dallas Stars in the second round, ending their season.

July 2024: Jessica Campbell Hired as NHL's First Female Assistant Coach

In July 2024, the Seattle Kraken made history by hiring Jessica Campbell as the NHL's first female assistant coach.

2024: Second Community Ice Rink Proposed

In 2024, a second community ice rink was proposed for a former park-and-ride lot in Kirkland on the Eastside.

2024: Daccord Achieves First Shutout in Winter Classic

In 2024, during the Winter Classic, Joey Daccord achieved the first-ever shutout in Winter Classic history with a 3–0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

July 22, 2025: Information updated

Information was updated on July 22, 2025.

September 4, 2025: Kraken unveil their first alternate uniform

On September 4, 2025, the Seattle Kraken introduced their first alternate uniform, featuring a black base, glow-in-the-dark elements, sonar-inspired stripes, and a Muckleshoot tribe patch.