- Kraken bring in outside firm Sportsology Group to audit hockey operations top to bottom
- Review covers structure, scouting, player development, analytics, coaching, and roster construction
- Read below for details on Sportsology’s track record and Botterill’s end-of-season comments
The Seattle Kraken aren’t waiting around to figure out what’s broken.
Seattle has partnered with the Sportsology Group, an external advisory firm, to perform a top-to-bottom audit of hockey operations, Curtis Crabtree of Fox 13 Seattle reported Tuesday. The review covers organizational structure, communication, decision-making, player development, amateur and pro scouting, analytics, coaching, roster construction, and how the NHL and AHL clubs line up.
A Kraken spokesperson laid out the partnership in a statement.
“We have partnered with the Sportsology Group, an external advisory firm specializing in organizational performance and operational strategy for professional sports franchises. Our process with Sportsology is underway now and they are working in parallel with our own annual end-of-season review.”
This was telegraphed back in April. Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke floated the idea when the team parted ways with Ron Francis as president of hockey operations. Jason Botterill, the GM, held his end-of-season presser the very next day:
Botterill was asked about the team’s direction and didn’t dance around it.
“Bottom line is, we are not where we want to be after five years. It’s an important time for our franchise. We have a strong foundation here, but changes need to be made.”
Watch Botterill’s full press conference here:
Sportsology brings a heavy résumé from outside hockey. The firm has consulted for the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and several MLS clubs. Three of those franchises have won championships in the last four years. Executive chairman Mike Forde ran football operations at Chelsea FC for six years before founding the group.
The audit lands at a useful moment. Seattle has made the playoffs just once in five seasons, churned through three head coaches, and watched Matty Beniers and Shane Wright stall short of their projected ceilings. The final report goes to majority owner Samantha Holloway.
Our earlier coverage on Francis stepping down has the back-story on how Seattle got here.
