By Tim Booth

The NHL's newest team finally has its name: the Seattle Kraken.

The expansion franchise unveiled its nickname Thursday, ending 19 months of speculation about whether the team might lean traditional or go eccentric with the name for the league's 32nd team.

"The Kraken is a name born of the fans. It was suggested and championed by the fans," Seattle CEO Tod Leiweke said.

In opting for the sea creature of Scandinavian folklore, Seattle bypassed options like Sockeyes, Evergreens, or Metropolitans, the last of which would have been a nod to Seattle's hockey history. There was even a push from some fans for the team to try to acquire the Thunderbirds name from the local junior team.

But Kraken was a clear favorite among fans, who rallied around the name soon after the expansion franchise was awarded in December 2018. The enthusiasm has grown since the team built toward its debut for the 2021-22 season.

It's edgy and sounds menacing. And it gave the franchise a clear brand going forward.

"I think that we felt like this is so authentic and noble, and we hit all the main things that we really wanted that we feel really strongly that this is the right choice," Heidi Dettmer, Seattle's vice president of marketing, told The Associated Press. "I've totally fallen in love with this brand and I think our fans will."

Seattle also unveiled its primary colors, which will be a deep dark blue — almost black — and a lighter shade of blue as a complement.

Unlike with the last NHL expansion team in Las Vegas, there should be no trademark issues with Kraken. The Vegas Golden Knights ran into problems with the U.S. Army and it took several years for the trademark battle to be settled.

The unveiling of Seattle's name has been expected for months, only to have it run into delays. It was first thought to be targeted for late last year in the hope of products hitting the market prior to the holiday season.

Then the NHL All-Star break in January was thought to be a possibility. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, where the initial epicenter in the U.S. was the Seattle area.

Dettmer said the name itself was chosen right around the first of the year. The time since has been spent on finalizing the primary and secondary logos while working with the league's uniform provider, Adidas.

Nic Corbett, the director of NHL relations with Adidas, said the primary logo is a Kraken tentacle shaped into an 'S' and is a nod to the Seattle Metropolitans logo. The Metropolitans were the first American team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917.

"We needed a mark that was noble and (Seattle GM) Ron Francis was someone who kept hitting that home," Corbett told the AP. "It has to be noble, it has to be strong."

Share:
More In Sports
Making Winning Investments During the NBA Playoffs
The 2022 NBA playoffs are intensifying as four teams vie for an NBA finals berth. Tonight, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors can book their finals ticket with a win over the Dallas Mavericks, while Miami will be feeling the 'heat' tomorrow night, facing elimination against the Boston Celtics. And with the growing popularity of sports betting, the NBA playoffs offers a potential money-making opportunity for fans. Trysta Krick, host of BetMGM Tonight, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Jim Irsay Brings His Iconic Memorabilia Collection to New York
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is displaying his world-renowned collection of historic memorabilia to the public for the first time in the Big Apple. Irsay joined Cheddar News to talk about why he's bringing artifacts from the Beatles to Jerry Garcia to light now. "I borrow all this stuff, you know, and I just feel kind of an obligation to share it with the public and make it come alive if you will," he said.
Cheddar Bets: Sweet Selections For Second Weekend of NCAA Tournament
Olivia Harlan Dekker, Alex Glaze and ESPN College Gameday analyst LaPhonso Ellis deliver their top plays for the Round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament, with Glaze also discusses what Kyrie Irving's eligibility for home games means for the Nets title chances. Sponsored by BetMGM
Cheddar Bets: Everything You Need to Know for March Madness
Olivia Harlan Dekker, Alex Glaze, and Sean Green provide viewers with all the intel they need to place winning bets and dominate their brackets during the NCAA Tournament, ranging from breakout performers, most likely upsets, and who will win it all. Sponsored by BetMGM
Problem Gambling Concerns With Sports Betting On The Rise
Sports Betting in the U.S. is booming. According to industry experts, we could see another boom this year as more states move towards statewide legalization of sports wagering. While this comes as huge news for fans, there are some very real concerns as to whether or not sports betting potentially poses a threat to public health. Senior Clinician at the Caron Treatment Centers, Eric Webber, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
Load More