Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Kraken take ice for first time as camp begins

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Thursday, 23 September 2021 17:41

SEATTLE -- It didn't take long for Mark Giordano to get years of seeing red out of his system. The former longtime Calgary Flames defenseman didn't even flinch Thursday while pulling on the jersey of a different team for the first time in his career.

Give an assist to his wife for making sure Seattle Kraken blue has been the dominant color for him ever since Giordano was selected by the NHL's newest franchise in the league's expansion draft over the summer.

"My wife's done a good job of surrounding my family with Kraken T-shirts and now we can get some jerseys [now] that they're for sale," Giordano said.

Giordano and the rest of the Kraken's roster hit the ice for the first time as a team with the start of training camp Thursday. It was the first step toward Seattle's debut on Oct. 12 at Vegas and came exactly a month before the Kraken open their home arena against Vancouver.

While Seattle's roster is a mix of veterans and some young talent looking for an opportunity, no one on the roster comes close to Giordano's years on the ice.

After 15 years in Calgary -- the past eight as the Flames' captain -- coming to Seattle is a fresh opportunity for the nearly 38-year-old veteran.

And nothing is more exciting than the first day of camp.

"It wasn't light out for a little while but I wasn't first at the rink, I can tell you that," coach Dave Hakstol said. "Everyone was here earlier, everybody was excited to get going. Overall, it was a good first day for everybody to get under their belts."

Giordano was in the first group to take the ice shortly after 9:30 a.m. They were greeted by applause from fans who showed up at the team's $80 million practice facility for a glimpse of Seattle's players.

Most of the team has been in town for a couple of weeks having informal workouts.

"All the guys were here earlier than I've seen groups on other teams come in," forward Jordan Eberle said. "We were all here for two weeks in advance to camp. I think that was just everyone wanted to get here, get settled obviously being new, getting a chance to meet the guys, joke around in the locker room, start some camaraderie within the group. That bonding is huge."

Seattle plays the first of six preseason games Sunday against the Canucks in Spokane, Washington. Because the team is entirely new, both Hakstol and some of the players said they would like to keep the pairings from the first day together for a bit to see how it develops.

"We've only got a certain amount of time so what we would like to do is put some combinations together and see what that looks like," Hakstol said. "In order to see that you have to give it two or three days to build together, possibly even leave it together through one exhibition game and then we have the opportunity to look at a different combination."

One unexpected sight was forward Yanni Gourde working with the second practice group, albeit wearing a red no-contact jersey. Gourde had shoulder surgery in July shortly before the expansion draft and was expected to miss the first two months of the regular season.

While that still might be the case, general manager Ron Francis said Gourde is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

"We're finding out he's a tough guy to hold back," Francis said. "He's really worked hard."

Notes:

• Francis said Seattle's entire roster has received its COVID-19 vaccinations.

• One noticeable absence on the first day was center Colin Blackwell, who is day-to-day with a lower body injury, Hakstol said.

Read 235 times

Soccer

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

USWNT's Albert apologizes after Rapinoe criticism

EmailPrintUnited States women's national team midfielder Korbin Albert apologized on Thursday for pr...

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

Leicester sack women's boss for breach of conduct

EmailPrintLeicester City manager Willie Kirk has been dismissed from his position after an internal...

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

Davies' agent blasts Bayern's contract 'ultimatum'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe agent of Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies has criticised the...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

Basketball

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

Hornets shut down LaMelo (ankle) for season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball will not play again this season...

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

Lawyer: Ex-G Leaguer won't face death penalty

EmailPrintFormer G League player Chance Comanche, who was charged with the murder of a woman whose b...

Baseball

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

Heroic debut: Soto's throw saves Yankees in 9th

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- That Juan Soto's first signature Yankee moment happened...

Ohtani welcomed, helps Betts, Freeman drive win

Ohtani welcomed, helps Betts, Freeman drive win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani was pleased with the quality of his at...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated