The Seattle Kraken officially became the NHL's 32nd team on Friday.
"On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am delighted to officially welcome the Seattle Kraken to the NHL as our 32nd Member Club," commissioner Gary Bettman said in a news release. "Congratulations to David Bonderman, the Bonderman Family, their partners, the entire Seattle Kraken organization, the city of Seattle and Kraken fans as the Club continues on its exciting journey towards puck drop in October."
The Kraken will compete in the Pacific Division in the Western Conference starting next season.
"Today is another momentous day on the journey to puck drop," majority owner David Bonderman said. "I would like to thank Gary Bettman and the NHL for welcoming us to the league. I also want to thank my partners in our ownership group for their support and our incredible fans who have made their enthusiasm for hockey heard loud and clear since deposit day on March 1st 2018, through the name reveal and selecting their seats.
"We have an incredible few months ahead of us as we prepare to welcome our inaugural players and finally take to the ice at Climate Pledge Arena."
Ron Francis is the general manager and the team has not yet named a head coach.
The 2021 NHL Expansion Draft is scheduled for July 21, at which point Seattle will select a player from 30 of the 31 teams in the league. The Vegas Golden Knights, the most recent team to join the league in 2017-18, are exempt from the Kraken's draft.
--Field Level Media OLUSSPORT Reuters US Online Report Sports News 20210430T170226+0000