32 NHL Cities in 32 Days: NHL Seattle

This feature is somewhat of a special story. NHL Seattle has not begun play yet, does not have any players currently and does not even have a nickname. This story will focus on the franchise’s history so far and the renovations of their stadium.

The Location: Seattle, Washington

NHL Seattle plans to call the New Arena at Seattle Center home. Opened in 1962, the arena is currently under a complete renovation. This renovation will feature a new atrium and interior while keeping the existing roof and exterior walls. The plans are to have the arena seat 17,400 for a home hockey game. Formerly, this was known as the KeyArena and home of the NBA’s Seattle SuperSonics and WNBA’s Seattle Storm. Following construction, the Storm and the Seattle University Redhawks will return as tenants.

Team History

In late 2017, the Seattle City Council voted in favor of renovations being made to KeyArena. These renovations were intended to draw a new NHL franchise as well as acquiring a new SuperSonics basketball team as well. The NHL agreed to consider giving Seattle a franchise bid and in February 2018, the Oak View Group headed by Todd Leiweke submitted their application for an NHL franchise. In March, a season ticket drive began to gauge fan interest. The goal of 10,000 deposits was surpassed within 12 minutes with 25,000 deposits coming in in 75 minutes. In April, Leiweke was named CEO. By October, the NHL Executive Committee agreed to recommend the expansion to the Board of Governors in December.

On December 4, 2018, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved Seattle’s admittance to the NHL. They will begin play in the 2020-21 season as part of the Pacific Division and Western Conference. With this addition, the Arizona Coyotes will shift to the Central Division. In July 2019, the team announced the hiring of Ron Francis as general manager. In September 2019, it was announced that the AHL affiliate would be based in Palm Springs, California. The team of professional scouts was also announced in September which includes Cammi Granato (the only female pro scout in the NHL at this time), Stu Barnes, John Goodwin, Dave Hunter and Ulf Sameulsson. While the team name is still unknown, fans are excited to have a franchise in Seattle.

This is not the first attempt to bring NHL hockey to Seattle. In 1915, the Seattle Metropolitans were formed as part of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. They were the first American based team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917. In June 1974, the NHL announced that Seattle would receive a franchise in 1976. Financial struggles and the instability of the WHL forced the league to pull the franchise before play even began. In 1990, another attempt was made to bring an expansion team to Seattle. Again, the investment group was shut out due to financial terms. As more attempts were made throughout the 2000s and 2010s, the issue of the arena’s configuration became a concern for the NHL. With much of the lower bowl’s view obstructed, it was not suitable for an NHL franchise.