TJ Oshie, who could someday be a member of the Seattle Kraken, does not like the team’s name.
When asked about the team’s big announcement on Thursday, Oshie looked puzzled and disappointed.
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Osh shared his thoughts on the newly-named Seattle Kraken, as well as what he expects from newcomers Brenden Dillon and Ilya Kovalchuk come playoff time in today's Zoom call with the media. #ALLCAPS | @TJOshie77 pic.twitter.com/TXk76eddyt
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 23, 2020
“I don’t know,” Oshie said after a giant shrug. “I guess being from Everett. I was hoping they would go with the Totems.
“Kraken’s different,” he added
Oshie went on to explain why he was let down by the choice. The Capitals forward played 10 seasons with the Seattle Junior Hockey Association and was coached by Mike Murphy on the squirt, peewee, and bantam teams. Murphy is currently the head coach and general manager of Seattle Totems Junior Hockey team.
“[M]y coach that I grew up with he has… the Seattle Totems there, so I was hoping they’d make the jump to the NHL team,” Oshie said.
Photo courtesy of the WSHL
The name also plays to Oshie’s Chippewa Indian heritage. He is of 1/4 Ojibwe descent, according to the Seattle Jr Totems.
“More importantly than the name, I think it’s very exciting for the people of Seattle and Washington and the Pacific Northwest to get a hockey team up there and another team to cheer about,” Oshie said. “Obviously, the Seahawks and Mariners are two of the sports (teams) I grew up with watching along with the Sonics so it’ll be nice to have another NHL team up there. Hopefully, I can see my family a little bit more too.”
Screenshot courtesy of the @Capitals
