First Seattle Kraken Draft Pick: Matty Berniers
Hockey returned to Seattle Center in 2021 for the first time since the Seattle Thunderbirds 14 years ago. I covered over 35 Seattle Kraken home games at the Greenhouse and spent enough time at the Northgate Iceplex to set up a cot in the Zamboni room. In no particular order, here’s my list of Seattle Kraken wins (more than the 27 on the ice) this past year for the newest team in the Emerald City.
A six-foot-five fourth-year defenceman with a heavy shot, Carson Soucy was selected from the Minnesota Wild in the Expansion Draft and led the team in plus/minus with +7. In Kraken’s first season, he set career highs in goals, points, power play points, shorthanded points, and shots.
This is probably the biggest win of all, the old Key becoming the new Greenhouse. Twice the size of the last arena, the iconic roof and some glass structures are the only remnants left from the old place for this new hockey barn. The bright and shiny aside, this is easily the best sporting venue in town and a top choice in the NHL.
Kraken Opening Night in Seattle: October 23, 2021
The symbols of this team are a total slam dunk and well before the Supersonics return home. They paid homage to the Stanley Cup winning Seattle Metropolitans, Space Needle, and the city’s maritime roots. Great logos translate into killer merchandise. Starting with listening to the fans for the team name, everything is better than it was five years ago when Vegas came into the league, right down to the expansion inaugural patch.
A team-signed Seattle Kraken home jersey at the 2022 NHL All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
A lightning rod on the ice and a great interview off it, the Massachusetts-born center led the Kraken in shorthanded goals. Colin Blackwell only played 39 games before moving to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Even in a brief time frame, Colin Blackwell still ranked inside the team’s top 12 for goals, plus/minus, shot percentage, and faceoff percentage.
Everett Fitzhugh, Dave Tomlinson, and Mike Benton round out a new broadcast crew rivaling the most storied in the league. Everett’s excitement, Dave’s playing experience, and Mike’s work ethic (a local hire from the Everett Silvertips) make for a winning combination. They were both knowledgeable and entertaining.
Mike Benton hosting a Kraken Audio Network intermission break inside The Greenhouse.
After a trip with Michigan to the NCAA Frozen Four, the Seattle Kraken’s first-ever draft pick matched the local hype and then some. With nine points in Seattle’s final 10 games, Matty Beniers was on pace for 73 points in a full year. That’s 23 more than 50 point season leader Jared McCann! He’s very relieved to be back in a climate similar to his East Coast home. Among his comments was this nugget:
“I finally have some seafood again that I can eat- unlike Michigan, I didn’t really have that. So that’s honestly been great. Like, oh, I can eat the clam chowder here! That’s been honestly huge… it’s somewhat similar to Boston and gives me that home feeling.”
Eberle was the All-Star, McCann the scorer, Tanev the fan favorite, but Yanni Gourde is the glue. The grinder on the PK, the grinner during fights, and the go-getter winning both Seattle Kraken team and fan-voted awards for year one. He ranked in the Kraken top three for goals, assists, points, game-winning goals, power play goals, shot percentage, and faceoff wins.
A winning part of Jonny Greco’s game presentation experience is the new generation of on-ice graphics. Team highlight reels are fun, but intermission bingo cards or cart race tracks draw fans in the stands into a more immersive experience, especially if everyone in a seating section has a chance to win.
Playing intermission bingo by section inside the arena.
From parking lot hang-outs to Arpad’s hospitality in the bar, Kraken Community Iceplex is a place for players. Relax on the stairway seats, challenge a friend to free NHL ’22 or bubble hockey, or take a stroll and see the hallway artwork. Most importantly, it’s a place for our on and off-ice communities to blend.
Officials hanging out at the 32 Br & Grill after the Apple Puck.
From Climate Change to Hockey is For Everyone to Mental Health Awareness, the Seattle Kraken made important steps, further than the game on the ice, in the community. Seeing these heart-to-heart roundtables play inside the arena didn’t get the loudest cheers but were probably taken most to heart.
This new NHL team has a great arena, a solid practice rink, engaging symbols on and off the ice, good messages and broadcasters, a promising rookie, a good defenseman, and Yanni Gourde. Hopefully, the Seattle Kraken can expound on these strengths and put together more wins in year number two.
What do you think were the best parts of the Seattle Kraken’s inaugural season? Let us know in the comments section below. ⚓