The Seattle road helmet will feature two "The Climate Pledge" decals, one on each side of the helmet, intended to amplify a global call to action for corporations, businesses and organizations to take collective action for a safer and healthier planet for the next generations by committing to zero-carbon operations by 2040.
Consider it a major commitment to climate by the NHL team and naming rights partner Amazon, acting as a season-long road show to raise awareness among fans, media and everyone else watching when the Kraken visit every NHL city at least once during the 2021-22 season that starts Oct. 12.
According to its website, The Climate Pledge is a "cross-sector community of companies, organizations, individuals and partners, working together to crack the climate crisis and solve the challenges of decarbonizing our economy.
"Bringing together those that are prepared to run the furthest and fastest, The Climate Pledge calls on signatories to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040-10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. Amazon co-founded the Climate Pledge with Global Optimism in 2019 and became the first signatory of the pledge."
Add the Kraken players among those to go "the further and fastest" but on skates.
At Climate Pledge Arena, the Kraken's midnight blue helmets will feature Amazon's signature smile on both sides of the headgear. Each Seattle helmet, home and away, will feature a second decal declaring NHL unity and equality, placed on the bottom right of the shell and worn by all teams.
For would-be hockey historians, the 1979-80 NHL season marked the first year that established helmets as mandatory for all first-year players. Any NHLer entering the league after June 1, 1979 was required to wear a helmet, but veterans who signed a pro contract before that date could opt to go without the protective equipment. About 30 percent of NHLers chose not to wear helmets during the 1978-79 but by 1989 only a handful of players still competed helmetless.
