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Seattle Kraken training camp gets underway

SEATTLE — The Seattle Kraken begin training camp on Thursday at the Kraken Community Iceplex in Northgate as the 32nd NHL franchise.

It’s the first official practice for coaching staff to be on the ice with the players before the NHL regular season opener on Oct. 12.

Coaching staff will start evaluating which 23 of the 37 camp invitees will make the NHL roster.

>> Kraken season schedule

Rest and recovery is expected to be a major focus in camp given the shortest offseason in league history is leading into what’s supposed to be the first full, 82-game schedule since 2019-20.

Fans can attend training camp by joining the Kraken’s membership program, The Depths, but sessions are sold out and there are no tickets for walk-ins.

After training camp, practices will be free to attend but priority access will be given to members of The Depths.

Training camp runs through Oct. 11. The first of six preseason games is this Sunday in Spokane against the Vancouver Canucks.

The 82 games of the Kraken’s 2021-22 NHL regular season will be played over seven months.

Their first game of the regular season is Oct. 12 against the last franchise to join the league before Seattle, the Vegas Golden Knights.

It kicks off a five-game road trip followed by Nashville, Columbus, Philadelphia and New Jersey.

The home opener against the Canucks at the new Climate Pledge Arena is Oct. 23.

The Canucks are one of five Pacific Division teams the Kraken will play four times, two home and two away. The other teams are Los Angeles, San Jose, Vegas and Calgary, according to the team.

To watch games at Climate Pledge Arena, fans will have to follow COVID-19 protocols. Mask are required and guests 12 and over will need to show proof of vaccination.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.