We’re Number 1… And Number 6
Congratulations, all wearers of Seattle Kraken sweaters. You’ve collectively pushed the Kraken to #1 in a survey of most popular NHL jerseys in the U.S. Clothing wholesaler ShirtMax studied internet searches that included the word “jersey” for the 12 months between June of 2023 and May of 2024. The top five, in reverse order: (5) L.A. Kings (4) Dallas Stars (3) Boston Bruins (2) Chicago Blackhawks (1) Seattle Kraken.
One category in which teams don’t want to finish first is most travel miles. For the 2024-25 season, the Kraken clock in at 48,200 miles, 6th highest in the NHL, and just a tad shy of two full revolutions around the Earth’s equator. As you’d expect, Pacific Division teams populate eight of the top 14 spots – but surprisingly, not the top two. Those belong to #1 Dallas Stars at 56,700 miles, and #2 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at 51,100 miles.
Here’s the complete list, as compiled by data cruncher Thomas Nestico of @TJStats.
Most Famous Bumstead Since Blondie & Dagwood
For anyone who thinks the Kraken’s promotion of Jessica Campbell won’t cause a – pardon the pun – sea change around the NHL, check out this headline: “Florida Panthers welcome new female coach at development camp.” There’s a Kraken connection here, too.
“I think you always have nerves,” Christine Bumstead told WSVN-TV. You don’t really know how other people are going to see the situation or take it, but with myself, I was confident in what I was there to do.” Happily, that’s how she was received. “It was never liked ‘Here’s Christine, she’s a female and she’s a coach.’ The players were super welcoming right from the get-go and the staff as well. Everyone took it in stride. It was great.”
How’s this for six degrees of Kraken separation: Bumstead is a performance coach for the WHL Saskatoon Blades. Last season, she worked alongside head coach Brennan Sonne, just named an assistant for the Kraken’s AHL farm team in Coachella Valley.
Montour’s Jersey Emergency
Brandon Montour had a fashion dilemma.
Many in the parade route in Six Nations, Ontario last Wednesday were outfitted in Brandon Montour Florida Panthers gear. They came to share Montour’s “Day with the Cup.” But it would be awkward for the defenseman, who signed a seven year free agent contract with the Seattle Kraken this month, to wear the colors of his former team – or his new one.
Brandon expertly avoided a wardrobe malfunction by wearing a t-shirt which read, “If you can’t tone it, tan it.” Words to live by. Technically, Montour did don a hockey sweater during his tour with the Cup. When he and the hardware stopped by the rink of his former junior team, where his #62 hangs from the rafters, Montour put on the jersey of the Caledonia Corvairs.
Thanks To New Kraken D-Man, Edmonton Gets Day With Cup
Montour wasn’t the only former Florida Panther defenseman, now member of the Kraken organization, to spend his “Day with the Cup” in Canada. Montour wasn’t even the first.
Josh Mahura, who played 30 regular season games during an injury-plagued season in Florida, signed a one-year contract with Seattle on July 3. 19 days later, the 26-year-old was back home in the Edmonton suburb of St. Albert for photos and autographs. “Just really excited to share this with everyone,” Mahura told CTV News. “I know when I was a kid, it would have been so special, so just to be able to do that and have some people come through and see it is just amazing.”
Also amazing: the NHL granted Florida’s petition to add Mahura’s name on the Cup as an injury exemption, because he didn’t meet the games-played criteria.
Ma, I Don’t Think We’re In Sudbury Any More
Among the enduring draft day memories for Kraken 2024 pick Nathan Villeneuve was the weather. “It was an unreal experience, especially in Vegas,” Villeneuve said to the Sudbury Star. “It was like plus-42 for the five days I was there and it was a great place for the draft.” For anyone wondering what’s the big deal about that… 42 degrees Celsius equates to 108 degrees Fahrenheit.
By the way, the draft day (June 29) high temperature back home in Sudbury, a city of 166,000 240 miles north of Toronto, was 66 degrees F. “I was in a really nice hotel,” added Villeneuve. “We got to spend some time in the sun and got a nice tan. It was a lot different from Canada, but a super nice place to go.”
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