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The Kraken continue to find ways to weave themselves into the Seattle sports landscape
by Sophia Welch
December 4, 2025
by Sophia Welch

Seattle sports fans always show up – whether it’s at Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, or Climate Pledge Arena – fans here know how to support their beloved teams. This support stretches all over the Pacific Northwest, but in the last five years, professional hockey has been working to find its way into the fabric of the passionate sports market, first with the Kraken five years ago, and now with the Seattle Torrent.

As one of the relatively new professional teams to the area, the Kraken were met with a crowded sports landscape, but this didn’t stop fans from embracing them wholeheartedly in the early years. But it has not just been the fans that have helped the Kraken transition so well into the sports scene here in Seattle. The Kraken have accepted Seattle’s multi-team identity with open arms, and the other teams in the area have been welcoming to them as well.

While the Kraken were beginning to launch their 2025-26 season campaign, the Seattle Mariners were competing for a ticket to the World Series, and the University of Washington’s beloved Huskies were gearing up for another season of college football. With the Seattle sports world heading into one of its busiest times, the Kraken were still able to carve out moments to show their support for their fellow Seattle teams. In doing so, they were able to deepen their own roots into the city’s sports culture and build up their own identity as a team.

These shows of support are important for building the identity of their young franchise. By involving themselves more in the Seattle sports world they show the fans that they want to be a part of the legacy that is Seattle. This not only earns them the fans’ loyalty and support but sends a message of unity between the team and the place they get to call home.

One visible gesture of Seattle camaraderie came on Sept. 14 when the Kraken attended a Mariners home game. At this game, where they also debuted their third jerseys in public for the first time, captain Jordan Eberle threw out the first pitch. Following this outing, the Kraken were then spotted attending a UW Football game where the Huskies gifted the Kraken a purple and gold hockey jersey. Both of these moments signaled something greater than just team bonding: that the Kraken aren’t the only ones proud to be a part of this city’s sports community, but that everyone from fans to other sports teams, are glad they are here.

Even while on the road the Kraken managed to show off their Seattle pride earlier this season. As the Mariners squared off against the Blue Jays, the Kraken were lined up to battle against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The boys from the deep showed up in Mariners jerseys as they walked down the tunnel for game day, and the gesture was clear: it’s Seattle over everyone, even for many of the Canadians on the team (though Shane Wright opted out of rooting against his beloved Blue Jays). The Kraken went on to beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in OT, thanks to Josh Mahura’s heroics, that game which only reinforced that spirit.

The support that the Kraken have been giving out has been returned to them. Whether its players from other local teams attending games to show support like Mariners stars Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor or neighbors taking to social media to cheer on the Kraken, it is clear that the team has achieved in building an atmosphere where community remains a big motivator. They have positioned themselves as not just newcomers but as connectors and unifiers of the city’s fanbase. This is important for a young franchise in a city that has never had a professional hockey team, and they are continuing to define their legacy every step of the way.

Now that the Torrent have arrived, the neighborly support has been even closer to the Kraken, who are sharing their arena and practice facility with the new PWHL team. Prior to the home opener for the Torrent, Kraken players wore their jerseys into Climate Pledge Arena, and several of the players also attended what ended up being a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Frost on Friday.

Seattle has shown strong support for women’s sports, and one can assume that this latest addition will be continue to be welcomed in the same way. But small, symbolic gestures like this from the Kraken go a long way in helping to welcome the newest team into the market.

There are challenges that lie ahead for every team, but one thing feels certain: the Kraken and their intentional approach to the community here in Seattle has created waves of support across the sports market.

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2 Comments

  1. Brian Mead

    I thought it was great for Joey to rep with a Corinne Schroeder jersey. Now if we can get Shifty to make a mask for Hannah Murphy…

    Reply
  2. Kris Rapier

    The Kraken are doing an awesome job embedding themselves in Seattle’s sports scene – rocking Mariners jerseys in Toronto and showing up for the Torrent is pure class! It’s cool to see a young franchise build that city-wide camaraderie, even if Shane Wright couldn’t bring himself to ditch the Blue Jays (fair enough!). For fans looking to add a little extra excitement to all this hockey action, you might want to check out Repcet.com for some fun football predictions to keep the competitive spirit rolling. Keep the Seattle sports love coming, and let’s go Kraken!

    Reply

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