The Kraken Adult Hockey League, formerly known as the Greater Seattle Hockey League (GSHL), has a rich history rooted in a passion for hockey and community building. Founded two decades ago by Andy Cole, the league has grown into one of the largest adult hockey leagues in the country. Cole, who moved to Seattle from the East Coast, established the GSHL in 2001 to provide accessible ice time and team opportunities for players of all skill levels.
From GSHL to Kraken Hockey League: A New Chapter
Announced earlier this year, the GSHL has joined forces with the Kraken, marking a significant milestone in its evolution. While the leagues, teams, and members will continue to play at various rinks from Tacoma to Everett, the partnership brings a new name - the Kraken Hockey League - and the exciting opportunity for players to experience the Kraken Training Center.
This collaboration aims to strengthen hockey bonds among adult players throughout the region, offering an enhanced experience under a unified brand.
As the first year of the Kraken Hockey League approaches, Andy Cole remains at the forefront, ensuring the league's mission of growing and celebrating the game continues.
Seattle's pitch for new hockey team
Building a Hockey Community
The league was built "one player, one team at a time," fostering a community of individuals seeking to celebrate their love for hockey on a weekly basis. The Kraken Hockey League has always been a welcoming place for both women and men, who may have moved from different parts of the country or even the world. They can join and find "their people" to make new friends.
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Hockey culture thrives on a shared love for the game, competition, and camaraderie both on and off the ice. The league has become a landing place for individuals from diverse backgrounds, offering a chance to connect with others who share their passion for hockey.
Many participants, often transplants from hockey-centric regions like Minnesota, Chicago, Boston, Canada, and Europe, find a sense of belonging and shared enthusiasm within the league.
The league offers them a chance to find others who are captivated by playing the sport, who can't wait to get to practice or a game, who know the special feeling of togetherness, win or lose.
The Importance of Camaraderie
Beyond the sport itself, the league plays a crucial role in helping people build lasting friendships. The Kraken Hockey League will continue this tradition, fostering a sense of community and belonging among its members.
The Greater Seattle Hockey League and now the Kraken Hockey League will be that place for hockey players. A good hockey league is like a good coffee shop… with beer. It makes you feel at home and it's where you find your friends.
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Inclusivity and Skill Development
The Kraken Hockey League welcomes players of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans. The league emphasizes fairness, inclusion, and responsiveness to its players. There is an opportunity for the highly skilled former college player to play in our top division or someone that has literally just learned to skate in our beginner division.
The league works diligently to maintain competitive balance, ensuring that everyone has a fair and enjoyable experience.
To further support newcomers, the Kraken are going to create so many new fans and you enjoy the sport even more if you play it. "Learn to Play Hockey" classes are available, starting in July at Olympic View Arena in Mountlake Terrace. These classes provide a foundation for those new to the game, while the league helps match players to teams and leagues with similar skill levels.
Key Principles of the League
- Competition
- Camaraderie
- Fairness
- Inclusion
- Listening to the players
These principles guide the league's decisions and help shape its inclusive culture.
Accessibility and the Kraken Training Center
While games will be played throughout the region, the situation of having our own facility actually presents opportunity to not only positively influence the player experience through use of a world-class facility, but we actually have greater control over the cost structure. Everyone will have an opportunity to play at the new Kraken Training Center. We envision playing a full schedule at the Kraken Training Center.
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Understanding the importance of convenience, the league accommodates geography by allowing some teams to play closer to home. But it sounds like people are attracted to the option of ice time at the Kraken Training Center too? But we will continue to play games throughout the region at other rinks as we listen to players about where they wish to play from week to week. Everybody has a busy schedule. We know geography plays a big part in people's ability to get to the games in a big city like Seattle.
Looking Ahead
The Kraken Hockey League is poised to build upon the traditions and history of the GSHL while embracing the excitement of the Kraken brand. We are going to celebrate our traditions and history - the GSHL, its culture, the players that make this league what it is, and games being played throughout the region - while embracing the new: Riding the wave of the Kraken to enrich our hockey culture; a best-in-class facility; post-game food and beers at the training center's bar and grill.
The power of the Kraken brand is going to bring us all together which we need in a post-Covid world!
Players, new and returning, can register for the league this July. We will have the benefit of coaches that have recently joined the Kraken; Marty Hlinka, Katelyn Parker and David Min that will support our classes.