Since the Seattle Kraken, the city’s first National Hockey League team ever, and first Stanley Cup-eligible team since 1924, debuted on Oct. 12, 2021, the organization has hired many employees at the stadium, including ushers, cashiers, security guards and more. Some of these people are students at Seattle Pacific University.
Nathalie Tantrum, a junior international business administration and marketing major, works guest services with the Kraken. Having started with them in the 2022-2023 season, Tantrum noted how much she enjoys her job.
“We do ticketing and ushering, that’s really the extent,” Tantrum said. “I love it. It’s the best thing ever. We get to watch all the Kraken games and I’ve gotten to meet a lot of the players. It’s great.”
Jaeden Newkirk, a junior economics major and music production minor, is a newer addition, having started in the 2023-2024 season. Newkirk works a retail job, a stereotypically monotonous profession, yet he enjoys it because of the Kraken’s unique work environment.
“So far, it’s been really fun for sure. The environment is really fast-paced, which I like, but it’s not overwhelming,” Newkirk stated. “There are a lot of college students who work there, so the environment is really fun as well.”
Tantrum and Newkirk both got their jobs by going to the annual SPU job fair held at the beginning of every autumn quarter. Kyla Zornes, who is the student employment manager at SPU, organized the job fairs both in 2022 and 2023. Zornes used the website Handshake to invite all sorts of employers to the job fair, including the Kraken.
“I’ll go on to Handshake and specifically find employers that are looking for part-time help. And then I’ll reach out to them and say, ‘Hey, we have this job fair going on, we’d love for you to be a part of it,’” Zornes said. “I actually can’t remember if I reached out to [the Kraken] the first year or not, but that usually is my recruitment strategy.”
Both Tantrum and Newkirk said they became Kraken fans as a result of working with the team.
“You’re seeing every single one of their games. So, it’s like, you know, might as well, right?” Newkirk stated. “It’s fun for sure, because you’re able to watch the games as you work, you know.”
Tantrum also attributed this to the environment at Kraken games being very welcoming to newcomers.
“It always makes me really happy, going to the games, because of all the other fans who explain things I don’t understand,” Tantrum said. “Everybody is just really friendly. It’s a vibe being there.”
The Kraken employees also have some interaction with the players. Tantrum recounted a humorous experience with one of the Kraken’s defensemen.
“My favorite player would probably be Will Borgen, but I do have a vendetta against him, because he did kick a soccer ball at me, so I’m kind of ready to box with him,” Tantrum said.
Working for the Seattle Kraken is certainly a unique job, and it is something that Newkirk recommends to others.
“I can see myself doing this as a college job for a while, you know, so I’m glad for that,” Newkirk said. “If anyone else is looking for an easy gig, check out the Seattle Kraken.”
