Kraken fans celebrate expansion plans, announcements boost local hockey bar KIRO 7 News Seattle business

SEATTLE – Hockey fans packed bars and filled parking lots around town as the NHL’s newest team, Seattle Kraken, filled their list.

Hundreds of hockey fans filled Gas Works Park on Wednesday to take part in the long-awaited Seattle Kraken team announcement.

A total of 30 hockey players were selected to join Kraken for the opening season. One player was selected from each NHL team except Las Vegas, where the last expansion series took place.

At the same time, viewing festivals were held around the city.

Its happening in reality, I really can’t believe it, said Seattle resident Sean Lee as he stood near the clock party at Dicks Drive-In in Queen Anne.

I mean, this is Seattle history, said Cameron Wong, a friend of Sessions.

In Greenwood, fans flocked to a local hockey-themed watering hole, Angry Beaver.

The business reached capacity before the expansion project even began.

Total party, it’s a total party out there right now, said owner Tim Pipes. I think we’ve all been waiting for years for this day; I really feel like it’s Christmas in Seattle today for hockey fans.

Every time a draft release was announced, the audience rejoiced.

The party was streaming to fans around the world through a new podcast created by fans, Kraken Fancast.

This is like Christmas today, we got players, were so spiritual, said Kraken Fancast host Chris Porter.

Would we have a team in October, around the corner, and I’ve been waiting to have lived here for 23 years waiting for NHL teams, and here it is, Porter continued.

The tension around the innovation season has already boosted business for Angry Beaver. A welcome sight after a tough year of restrictions and closures caused by the pandemic.

I’m a survivor, I’m a hockey player, you know? You come back from the ice when you’re poured, so I’m excited, Pipes said. Everything comes together and the excitement of the Kraken Club, which starts in October, it’s just, I’m over a month.

Pipes said he expects the Kraken-led boom in business to continue as the season begins in October.

I think it will come in October when the puck drops at the Climate Pledge Arena, and I expect 25% or maybe more growth in my business, Pipes said.

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