About Ron: The 2024-25 season marked Francis’ fourth as the Kraken’s General Manager after being named the first GM in franchise history on July 18, 2019. He was widely praised for his work at the March 2025 trade deadline, acquiring two first-round draft picks and a second-round selection from Tampa Bay for forwards Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand, then another second-round pick from Winnipeg for forward Brandon Tanev. The 2024 offseason saw him make integral free agent acquisitions, most notably Stanley Cup Champions Brandon Montour and Chandler Carolina Stephenson. Montour set a Kraken record for defensemen by scoring 18 goals, while Stephenson’s 51 points were the second highest on the squad. Francis also signed Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers to a seven-year contract extension, which the young center followed up by reaching the 20-goal mark for the second time. And he extended forward Eeli Tolvanen by two years and saw him respond with a 23-goal season. After a first-ballot Hall-of-Fame playing career, Francis worked his way up the Hurricanes organization, working in player development, scouting, coaching, and operations over his 12 years with the team. In 2014, Francis was named General Manager of the Hurricanes. While at Carolina, he drafted Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and Alex Nedeljkovic, among others. He signed standout defenseman Jacob Slavin and defenseman Brett Pesce to team-friendly contracts and traded for playoff performer Teuvo Teravainen.

Fun Facts: Second all-time in NHL assists behind Wayne Gretzky, including 110 assists on goals by legendary Jaromir Jagr. Fifth all-time in scoring (549 G, 1,249 A-averaging more than a point per game) and fifth all-time games played (1,731). Scored 44 points in 45 playoff games during back-to-back Stanley Cup wins (1991, 1992) with Pittsburgh. First player to win Lady Byng and Selke in the same season (1995). Led Carolina to a surprise appearance in the 2002 Cup Final in his 21st season. King Clancy Trophy and NHL Foundation Player Award winner (2002).

About Jason: Prior to joining the Kraken for their inaugural season, Botterill was the General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres from 2017 to 2020, notably drafting current team captain Rasmus Dahlin as well as forward Dylan Cozens, now with Ottawa. Botterill also orchestrated the 2019 trade with St. Louis that brought two-time 40-goal man Tage Thompson to Buffalo. Botterill previously spent a decade working for the Pittsburgh Penguins front office, helping construct a Penguins roster that would ultimately win three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017). He was part of the three-manager leadership team with Kraken GM Ron Francis for the 2019 silver-medalist Team Canada at the World Championships. The former NHL left wing was selected 20th overall by Dallas in the 1994 Draft as a freshman at the University of Michigan (scored 104 goals, 82 assists for 186 points in 150 NCAA games).

Fun Facts: Born in Edmonton but raised in Winnipeg. Playing for Canada from 1994-96, he became the only player to win three straight gold medals at the U20 World Junior Championship since it became an officially sanctioned tournament in 1977. But a higher bar for bragging rights in his family: sister Jennifer won three straight Olympic gold medals (2010, 2006, 2002) and one silver (1998 as the youngest player) for Canada’s national women’s team. His mom was an Olympic speed skater for Canada in the 1964 and 1968 Games. His father is a renowned sports psychologist who has worked with several NHL teams and Canadian Olympians in basketball, hockey, and cross-country skiing. Wife Andrea was an All-American gymnast at the University of Michigan.