Seattle's latest sports sensation, the Seattle Kraken, isn't just making waves on the ice, they're also leaving a powerful imprint on community and cultural awareness. As part of their avowed commitment to giving back, the Kraken's charitable wing, the One Roof Foundation, has been instrumental in promoting a bevy of specialty jersey tributes, designed to acknowledge and celebrate various communities and key causes throughout the Seattle area. From Indigenous Peoples Night to Lunar New Year, the jerseys have become a hallmark of the franchise's broader engagement efforts, according to KOMO News.
Last night, the Climate Pledge Arena was a kaleidoscope of color and blended heritage as the Kraken debuted a logo featuring the red, black, and green hues of the Pan-African flag, this emblematic shift fittingly complemented their game against the Boston Bruins; the initiative aimed to pay homage to Black Hockey History, with fans being treated to the vibrant leitmotif both on the ice projection and the larger-than-life jumbotrons and even walking away with special edition merchandise festooned with the new logo, a unique design created by Seattle's own Barry Johnson, who melded traditional Pan-African colors with the team's established insignia, the creation of this logo also highlighted the unsung legacy of the Colored Hockey League, which predates the NHL, having been founded in 1895, and illuminating an often overlooked chapter in the fabric of hockey history, KNKX reported.
The artist behind the logo, Johnson, shared the depths of his creative journey and the educational curve he experienced, "I really got excited about that because I'm like ‘oh,’ we've been doing this for a long time," he said in a statement obtained by KNKX. Reflecting on the power of inclusivity and awareness, the Kraken's initiative marks a front-runner effort in the NHL for celebrating diversity and creating a space where the history of underrepresented groups is not only recognized but also displayed with pride through the universal language of sports.
In line with the team's ethos, Kyle Boyd, the director of fan development for the Kraken and a pioneer in the craft of inclusive sports programs, praises the franchise's efforts in recognition of the varied constituents that make up their fan base, and his personal connection to the cause as one of the few Black kids playing hockey in Minnesota added an extra layer of resonance to the night’s events, "I really got excited about that because I'm like ‘oh,’ we've been doing this for a long time," Boyd told KIRO 7, a sentiment carrying through the stitches of every specialty jersey and emblazoned logo further knitting the bond between the team, its fans, and the diverse threads that weave the historical tapestry of hockey.
