Honestly, if you were sitting in a Seattle dive bar back in 2019, you couldn't escape the debate. Everyone had an opinion on what the city's new NHL franchise should be called. Some fans were die-hard traditionalists, practically begging for a revival of the Metropolitans—the team that actually won the Stanley Cup for Seattle in 1917. Others wanted the Sockeyes, a name that felt rugged, local, and just "Northwest" enough to work.
Then came the announcement.
On July 23, 2020, the world met the Seattle Kraken.
It was polarizing. It was bold. Some people thought it sounded like a minor-league gimmick, while others were ready to "Release the Kraken" before the first jersey even hit the shelves. But the story of how we got here isn't just about a mythical sea monster. It’s a mix of trademark legal battles, secret fan polls, and a deep-seated desire to do something the NHL had never seen before.
Why the Seattle Hockey Team Name Isn't Just a Myth
There is a common misconception that the name was picked out of thin air because it sounded "cool" for marketing. That’s only half-true. While the Kraken is technically a creature of Nordic folklore—specifically the North Atlantic—Seattle has its own real-life connection to the deep.
The Giant Pacific Octopus lives right in Puget Sound. We’re talking about creatures that can weigh 150 pounds and have a 20-foot arm span. Local legend even claims a massive octopus lives under the ruins of the collapsed Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
By choosing the Kraken, the organization bridged the gap between a terrifying myth and the very real, very mysterious wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.
The Names That Almost Happened
The road to "Kraken" was littered with about 1,200 rejected ideas. The team spent two years listening to fans, and for a long time, it looked like we were headed for a completely different identity.
- The Seattle Sockeyes: This was the massive fan favorite. In a 2018 Seattle Times poll with over 140,000 votes, Sockeyes won by a landslide. So why didn't they use it? Legal headaches. Author Jami Davenport had already trademarked the name for her series of "Seattle Sockeyes" romance novels. The NHL doesn't like sharing, and the litigation risk was reportedly a major factor in pivoting away.
- The Seattle Totems: A nod to the city’s pro hockey history from 1944 to 1975. However, there were significant concerns about cultural appropriation and whether using indigenous-inspired imagery was appropriate for a brand-new 21st-century franchise.
- The Seattle Metropolitans: This was the sentimental choice. The Metropolitans were the first American team to ever hoist the Stanley Cup. Ultimately, the "Mets" name is tied to New York baseball, and the NHL wanted a fresh identity that wasn't looking in the rearview mirror.
The Design: More Than Just an "S"
If the name was the hook, the logo was the sinker. The Seattle Kraken logo is a masterclass in "hidden in plain sight" design. At first glance, it’s a stylized, teal-colored "S" that pays homage to the original 1917 Metropolitans logo.
But look closer.
There is a tentacle rising through the bottom curve of the letter. And that single, glowing red eye? That’s the Kraken peering out from the shadows.
The color palette was also a huge departure from the typical red-and-black or blue-and-orange schemes seen across the league. They call the primary colors "Deep Sea Blue," "Ice Blue," "Boundless Blue," "Shadow Blue," and "Red Alert." It looks like the ocean on a stormy day. It’s distinctive. It’s moody.
What Really Happened with the Fan Vote?
There’s a bit of a "conspiracy theory" among some locals that the fan vote was rigged or ignored. It wasn't. While Sockeyes had the most raw votes early on, the team noticed a massive groundswell of organic support for "Kraken" on social media.
Basically, the "Release the Kraken" meme culture was too big to ignore.
The organization realized that "Kraken" offered something a salmon or a mountain (the Rainiers was another finalist) couldn't: an experience. You can turn a stadium into "The Deep." You can play ominous sub-bass music when the team hits the ice. You can create a brand that feels like a heavy-metal concert mixed with a high-stakes sporting event.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're following the team or looking to dive into the culture, here's what you actually need to know about the brand today:
- Watch the "S": When buying merch, the primary "S" logo is the one to get, but the secondary "Anchor" logo (which features a hidden Space Needle in the handle) is considered one of the best secondary marks in all of professional sports.
- Respect the History: If you want to sound like an expert at Climate Pledge Arena, mention the Seattle Ironmen. The Kraken used them as the inspiration for their "Reverse Retro" uniforms.
- The 32nd Spot: Remember that the Kraken are the 32nd team in the league. This is why their expansion draft and initial branding felt so polished—they had the luxury of learning from the Vegas Golden Knights' success just a few years prior.
The name might have started as a "fishy rumor" on Twitter, but it has become an inseparable part of the city's identity. Whether you love the myth or just love the hockey, the Seattle Kraken proved that sometimes, the weirdest name on the list is the one that actually sticks.
To fully appreciate the brand, visit the Kraken Community Iceplex in Northgate. It’s where the team practices, and you can see the development of the "Kraken" identity firsthand through the youth programs and public displays of the team's short but dense history. Check the team's official schedule for "Open Practice" dates to see the logo in action on the ice without the arena crowds.