Two Jr Kraken Teams Heading to District Championship

In their inaugural season, the 14U and 16U AAA Jr Kraken teams become state champs

In less than a week, two Jr Kraken teams became state champions within the Pacific Northwest Amateur Hockey Association (PNAHA). On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the 16U team beat the 16U Wenatchee Wild 3-1 at Kraken Community Iceplex in Seattle. On Sunday, Feb. 4, the 14U team beat the 14U Wenatchee Wild 5-3 at Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee. Both teams now move onto Pacific Districts to compete for a chance at playing in the USA Hockey National Championship.

The 16U Jr Kraken, coached by Josh Mizerek, were eager for a rare chance to play on home ice, not to mention miss half a day of school. A crowd of Kraken staff, including CEO Tod Leiweke, cheered them on, adding to the excitement. Wenatchee scored early in the first, holding a 1-0 lead through the second period. The Jr Kraken came back with vigor in the third, scoring three unanswered goals to win the game. In true Kraken fashion, the three stars of the game got to “yeet the fish,” a tradition for the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena.

Mizerek’s team will head to Anchorage, Alaska Feb. 29-March 3 to play in the 16U Pacific District tournament.

The 14U Jr Kraken, coached by David Kyu-Ho Min, traveled to Wenatchee for their chance at the title. The series kept everyone on their toes, as the Jr Kraken won their first game in a shootout, then Wenatchee responded with a win the next day. In the championship game, the Jr Kraken trailed 3-0 in the second period before firing back to score four unanswered goals. They scored another in the third, securing a 5-3 win.

Min’s team will stay local to compete in the 14U Pacific District tournament, held at Kraken Community Iceplex Feb. 22-25.