Today the Kraken and the NHL announced details for their live expansion draft event that will be held July 21st at Gas Works Park in Northlake. The event will start at 3:30PM PT, while the televised portion of the event that includes the announcement of the Kraken’s expansion draft selections will begin at 5:00. The expansion draft will be a ticketed event and will not be open to the general public. The team hasn’t released specific details about how fans can get tickets, saying only that “Tickets will be distributed through local non-profits, community groups, contests and invitations.”
While the Kraken said that there’s “more info to come soon” regarding ticket distribution, early indications suggest that this will be an exclusive event. Since the event itself will be treated as a closed film set, it appears that attendance will be very limited, leaving most fans unable to attend.
If you’re not one of the connected few to score a ticket to the Gas Works Park event, there will be other fun ways to watch the expansion draft. Fans with a paddle board, kayak, or boat will be able to “sail-gate” the event on Lake Union, as the team says “a giant screen” housed on a barge will broadcast the show to those on the water. There are also a number of team-promoted watch parties at local restaurants and businesses, like the Angry Beaver, Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, Petoskeys Sports Bar, and Queen Anne Beerhall. Dick’s Drive-In will also be hosting a watch party at their Queen Anne location.
Make sure to check in on Thursday as we announce Emerald City Hockey’s plans for the expansion draft!
So fans can go be set dressing for Bettman but they are making it exclusive for anyone else.