Gratitude, Happiness, Dignity

Just over a month ago, more than 4,000 of us were gathered at Gas Works Park for the NHL Expansion Draft on one of those water-mountains-picture-perfect days all Seattleites know, love and savor all summer long.
The boats surrounding the park that Expansion afternoon. Kayakers chatting casually offshore with our new players. The Olympics crystal-cut and clear to the eye. That tentacle weaved into the stage set.

And, oh my, those home-and-away jerseys on six players who slept in other cities the night before. If I may say so ... Mark Giordano, Jordan Eberle, Jamie Oleksiak, Brandon Tanev, Chris Driedger and Haydn Fleury never looked so good!
We've been busy since-the NHL Entry Draft was two days later, then NHL Free Agency four days after that to close out the most exciting of Julys. Finishing construction and inspections for our Kraken Community Iceplex in the Northgate neighborhood. Getting one month closer to the opening Climate Pledge Arena.
I could say it all leaves me speechless, but I have three words in my head and heart to describe my feelings about last 30 days.

Gratitude

I get emotional about this, but it was three-and-a-half years ago, March 2, 2018, our fans took this huge leap of faith as 32,000 ticket depositors committed in one day. I can't say thanks enough or too often.
My gratitude extends to all of the hard work by our hockey analytics team, the scouts, the front office, everyone who is helping us select, sign, acquire and develop players, then welcome them here.
I thank everyone on our staff for working so hard to make every event memorable, whether it's NHL hockey, Storm games, concerts, family entertainment and much more.

Happiness

It was my privilege to stand on the Expansion Draft stage.
I did take a minute to register our own shining sea of fans who were gathered on chairs and picnic blankets across and through the park. Happiness in its purest form.
There was another sort of happiness unfolding for me that day and throughout the entry draft and early days of NHL free agency. I am joyous that our team on the ice is built with strong character in mind when acquiring each and every player.
The word "character" can be tossed out as a weightless adjective. But our hockey operations group is adamant about character as the strongest of personal traits a player can offer to the Kraken on and off the ice. Character will be a strength and cornerstone of this franchise from Game 1.

Dignity

I will admit it. I stood backstage in awe at the Expansion Draft hearing the conversational hum of Kraken staffers, league officials and broadcast crew mingling with the likes of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, our head coach, Dave Hakstol, and his family, the Kraken TV pairing of John Forslund and JT Brown, our radio play-by-play guy Everett Fitzhugh, presenter and Kraken pro scout Cammi Granato amid our inaugural players.
So many hockey luminaries. But the one who stands out, with deep respects and props to all present, is Ron Francis. Our ownership, led by David Bonderman, was supremely persuaded that Ron was the right fit for the general manager's oversized job ahead.
Ron brings unwavering gravitas to his everyday work, along with hockey smarts and an unparalleled command for NHL player movement in the salary cap age. He knows what on-ice skills and mindsets win Stanley Cups. He's hired a head coach and leader in Dave Hakstol who brings the same dignity and intensity for a building winning culture.
Those six players on hand were revved up by our Gas Works fans and so were many of their new Kraken teammates watching around the world. And they took to social media to show how impressed they were with Climate Pledge Arena, Kraken Community Iceplex, the city and, most of all, our fans.
The players will return soon, determined to skate hard and smart in front of Kraken fans. I can't wait.