By Jason Cruz
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
The Seattle Kraken held its annual Asian American National Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Night as part of its Common Threads campaign on Thursday, Jan. 29 at Climate Pledge Arena.
The Kraken Common Thread campaign is a community initiative by the Seattle Kraken that promotes inclusivity and celebrates diverse cultures through themed game nights and artist-designed jerseys. The Kraken have held nights for Hispanic Heritage, Hockey Fights Cancer, LGBQT+, Indigenous People, Black History Night, Military Appreciation, and Green Night in honor of Earth Day.
The Kraken’s Tye Kartye was featured wearing the Seattle Kraken’s AANHPI Night warm-up gear, promoting the team’s initiative to honor the cultural impact of Asian Americans in the community.
“One thing that makes Seattle beautiful is its diversity,” said the 24-year-old Canadian. “So no matter who you are or where you come from, you should always feel welcomed and safe in the Kraken community. I’m proud to support those in the AANHPI community.”
The night was dedicated to celebrate the AANHPI community.
Photo by Jason Cruz
The Seattle Flying Dragons were out on the concourse giving fans the chance to bang the ceremonial drum pre-game. The drum is part of the dragon boat race as the beat sets the cadence for the rowers. They host the Seattle Dragon Boat Festival on June 13.
Photo by Jason Cruz
The night included contests to win tickets to the upcoming Joy Koy concert, a Hawaiian Dance troupe in between periods, DJ Lou Rawk spinning records before the game, KING 5 anchor Mimi Jung participating in pumping up the crowd before the puck drop, and Filipino recording artist Danika Justyne Kloewer singing the national anthem.
Photo by Jason Cruz
The highlight of the evening was the Kraken sweater design made by Tacoma-based tattoo artist Kenji Stoll. Stoll’s design is an homage to Filipino American tattoo artist Leo Zulueta, who is known for making the tribal tattoo famous. Purposely, the design is monochromatic with a tribal lettering in S and K intertwined.
Photo by Jason Cruz
Stoll, a Japanese American, was asked by the Seattle Kraken to design this year’s Common Threads jersey for AANHPI night. In addition to being a tattoo artist, he also has worked on murals and public art. Stoll was commissioned to do a display for Climate Pledge Arena in the past and was sought out again.
Stoll can be found at Imperio Tattoos in Tacoma. His Instagram profile features more of his work.
The Kraken auctioned off Stoll’s designed jerseys signed by players. The proceeds went to the Chinatown-International Business District Association. In addition, the team store sold sweatshirts, t-shirts, and hats with the design.
In between the first and second periods, the Kraken honored Xiu Liu of the Denise Louie Education Center. A former student, she is now a board member that has helped expand the school. The mission of the school is to promote life readiness through multicultural preschool, early learning, and child care services to children and families including ones in need.
The One Roof Foundation donated $32,000 to the Denise Louie Education Center to continue its mission and preserve children’s individuality and cultural heritage.
Photo by Jason Cruz
In between the second and third periods, the Halau Hula Ka Lei Mokhana I Ka Ua Noe (Translation: The lei mokihana in the misty rain), a Hawaiian Dance Studio from Burien, performed. The group, wearing traditional Hawaiian clothing, looked a little peculiar on the ice as the group walked onto the sheet of ice in Uggs as they got to the center of the ice on makeshift stage.
There are several AANHPI NHL hockey players, including former Kraken, Utah Mammoth right winger Kailer Yamamoto (Japanese American), Dallas Stars left winger Jason Robertson (Filipino American), and San Jose Sharks forward Keifer Sherwood (Japanese American).
To top off the night, the Kraken defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2.
Jason can be reached at newstips@nwasianweekly.com.
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