The Seattle Kraken Expansion Drafted More Than Just NHL Players
On July 21, the NHL came to announce the 30 players taken in the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft. Media, VIPs, and TV cameras were all over, but this draft event at Lake Union was truly for the local hockey community.
In all my time in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve never been to Seattle’s Gas Works Park until Wednesday. And now, thanks to our newest hockey team, it’s on the list of my favorite city attractions. After 16 months of the COVID pandemic, around 4,000 attendees safely experienced a first-class outdoor social event. The stage was elaborate, the beer garden was full, and the swag was plentiful. This was another “mission accomplished” for a new franchise that truly listens to its fan base. Todd Humphrey is the Seattle Kraken Senior VP of Digital & Fan Experience and noticed my NHL Seattle hat and Totems polo right away.
With fellow goalie Travis Moore at the Expansion Draft. (Photo by Jonathan West)
For the first time in 11 years, I didn’t have to travel away from home to cover an NHL event! So I welcomed old media friends like NHL Network Radio’s Dennis Bernstein while making new ones like The Athletic’s Ryan S. Clark. Stu Vitue and ROOT Sports had a great waterfront studio setup, while Chris Daniels and KING 5 lead the local TV coverage. Geoff Baker from the Seattle Times was on my press row, and Ian Furness with 950 KJR-AM was broadcasting in the grassy slope to the left of the stage. And the NHL Media Zoom calls had the best interview setup in the park.
Left Wing Brandon Tanev of the Seattle Kraken. (Photo by Jonathan West)
Also in attendance or watching remotely were many who make up our local hockey community. Hockey bar and pro shop owners surviving a global health crisis. Youth and adult players who travel 70-100 miles daily to play this game around the Puget Sound. People like Travis Moore with Seattle Junior Hockey Association, Paul Kim keeping the Seattle Metropolitans trademark local, and Andy Cole, who runs the largest local adult hockey league. This day was all about local beauties taking in a hockey milestone.