Kraken

Photos from Seattle Kraken’s draft day at Gas Works

Originally published July 21, 2021 at 3:38 pmUpdated July 21, 2021 at 9:18 pm

The Kraken’s first franchise players are introduced as a group Wednesday at the NHL expansion draft at Gas Works Park. From left: right wing Jordan Eberle; goalie Chris Driedger; left wing Brandon Tanev; and defensemen Jamie Oleksiak, Haydn Fleury and Mark Giordano. Also revealed Wednesday: Kraken away jerseys, which are white. The blue home jerseys were unveiled Tuesday. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

A Kraken tops a boat that is part of the flotilla of fans who turned out for Wednesday’s Expansion Draft. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

The Kraken’s first franchise players are introduced as a group Wednesday. From left, Jordan Eberle, Chris Driedger, Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Hadyn Fluery, and Mark Giordano. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Ex-Florida Panthers goaltender Chris Driedger is interviewed during the Seattle Kraken draft on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle. Various representatives from the Seattle Kraken, NHL representatives, and special celebrity guests also were in attendance. (Sylvia Jarrus / The Seattle Times)

Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke pumps up the crowd Wednesday. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Broadcaster Dominic Moore tosses a fish as part of the announcement of the Kraken’s inaugural team Wednesday. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Thousands of fans gathered for the Seattle Kraken draft on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle. Various representatives from the Seattle Kraken, NHL representatives, and special celebrity guests also were in attendance. (Sylvia Jarrus / The Seattle Times)

Colin Zoffel dons his finest Kraken attire as he and thousands of fans get ready for Wednesday’s Expansion Draft event at Gas Works Park. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Edwin Mok, 43, of Seattle and his sons Kyle, 12, and Trevor, 14, take a selfie together for the Seattle Kraken draft on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle. “It’s exciting I think it’s going to be a whole new experience for the Seattle community and they’re gonna Abe in for a wild ride,” said Mok. (Sylvia Jarrus / The Seattle Times)

The Kraken’s team broadcaster Everett Fitzhugh talks to fans at Wednesday’s Expansion Draft event. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Erik Moore hands out blankets for the crowd in attendance at Wednesday’s NHL Expansion Draft at Gas Works Park. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Kraken fans celebrate their team at the conclusion of Wednesday’s draft event. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Chris Driedger is introduced as one of the Kraken’s picks. The NHLís Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan arrives for Thursday’s draft even wearing a Kraken t-shirt. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Thousands of fans gathered for the Seattle Kraken draft on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle. Various representatives from the Seattle Kraken, NHL representatives, and special celebrity guests also were in attendance. (Sylvia Jarrus / The Seattle Times)

Macklemore introduces two of the Kraken’s picks. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Brandon Tanev is introduced as one of the Kraken’s draft choices. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Fans lay out blankets provided by the Kraken as they wait for Tuesday’s expansion draft to take place. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Kraken Head Coach Dave Hakstol, left, and General Manager Ron Francis talk to fans at Gas Works Park before Wednesday’s draft. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Patrick Gasseling, 44, and Trishia Gasseling, 45, of Wapato take a selfie during the Seattle Kraken draft on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle. The couple have already grabbed their season tickets. Various representatives from the Seattle Kraken, NHL representatives, and special celebrity guests also were in attendance. (Sylvia Jarrus / The Seattle Times)

Jordan Eberle is introduced to Kraken fans. The NHLÃs Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Fans show up in their finest Kraken attire Wednesday. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Thousands of fans gathered for the Seattle Kraken draft on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle. Various representatives from the Seattle Kraken, NHL representatives, and special celebrity guests also were in attendance. (Sylvia Jarrus / The Seattle Times)

Jamie Oleksiak is introduced to Kraken fans. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

J.T. Brown catches the fish thrown to him from the main stage during Wednesday’s draft event. The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

The NHL’s Expansion Draft for the Seattle Kraken was held Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle, WA. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)

Thousands of fans gathered for the Seattle Kraken draft on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Gas Works Park in Seattle. Various representatives from the Seattle Kraken, NHL representatives, and special celebrity guests also were in attendance. (Sylvia Jarrus / The Seattle Times)

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Dean Rutz: drutz@seattletimes.com.

Sylvia Jarrus: sjarrus@seattletimes.com; on Twitter: @JarrusSylvia.