Seattle Kraken and Utah HC Sled Teams Prepare to Face-Off in Park City Tournament.

The Seattle Kraken sled hockey team will compete in the Mountain West Sled Hockey Tournament from September 27 to 29 in Park City, Utah. Joining the Kraken will be the NHL's newest franchise, Utah Hockey Club, who will debut their sled hockey team. Eight NHL sanctioned sled hockey teams will play four games with two pools including a semi final and championship game. The event, sponsored by USA Hockey and the Utah Sled Hockey Association, will feature skaters from the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies who will compete in sleds as well.

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The Summer Paralympics have increased visibility in adaptive sports, something Utah athletes are familiar with. Interest in the sport of sled hockey peaked after the United States won its first Paralympic medal in the sport during the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Later becoming the first Paralympic team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In Seattle, enrollment in Seattle Adaptive Sports have grown thanks in part to the Kraken's involvement with the local hockey community. Last season the Seattle Kraken gifted $32,000 to its sled team as recipients of the Heroes of the Deep award.

Thom Youngblood, GM of the Kraken's sled team, says his team is excited to visit Utah and ready for a successful season. Over the summer, his roster nearly doubled, expanding to 12 permanent players, along with additional part-time players and newly recruited pushers. Youngblood hopes that the Mountain West Sled Hockey Tournament will lead to future games between Seattle and Utah, possibly including one in the Pacific Northwest.

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