4/22/2025
(Seattle, WA)
The Seattle Kraken formally announced the promotion of GM Ron Francis to team president and assistant GM Jason Botterill to the general manager role Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday’s press conference featured Owner Samantha Holloway, new team president Ron Francis, new general manager Jason Botterill, and CEO Tod Leiweke.
The four staff members thanked departing Head Coach Dan Bylsma and his family for their dedication to the organization through one year. Byslma led the Kraken to a 35-41-6 record, missing out on the playoffs by 20 points.
The front office emphasized the youth the Kraken have as an interictal factor into filling the open head coach vacancy.
Owner Samantha Holloway mentioned during the press conference how the mission is to build a long sustained playoff team in order to build the fabric for a contending team.
The elevation to Team President for Ron Francis gives him the ability to ‘work closely with our young prospects.”
Francis is well traveled in his hockey career. Winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, before becoming general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes from 2014 to 2018. Francis was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007.
Jason Botterill continues his journey after being elevated from assistant GM into the head role. Botterill became the assistant general manager for the Kraken in 2021 after a stint as the Buffalo Sabres general manager from 2017 to 2020. Regarding the lessons learned, Botterill said, “you always learn from any experience that you go through, shame on you if you don’t.”
Botterill about the future said, “The fact that I’ve been a part of this organization, the fact that I know the players, I know the staff, is going to allow me to make the correct decisions.”
In addition to letting go of Head Coach Dan Byslma yesterday, the Kraken announced assistant coach Jessica Campbell will be a part of the 2025-26 coaching staff.
The Kraken look to build their young talent and their future, and the focus shifts to filling their head coaching vacancy.
Stay tuned to ESN for more updates on offseason moves from the Seattle Kraken.
elisportsnetwork.com