Two Florida Cities Got Named Top Hockey Towns and the Kraken Faithful Are Raising Eyebrows

Alright, Seattle, gather 'round because we need to talk. You know how it is, scrolling through the news, minding your business, and then BAM, something hits you that just makes you go, "Wait, what?" That's exactly what happened when a little piece from a Florida newspaper, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, crossed my path. The big news from down south, according to them: "What are the best cities in Florida for hockey? Two rank high." Yeah, you read that right. Two Florida cities. Best for hockey fans. And honestly, for us here in the Emerald City, who live and breathe every single puck drop at Climate Pledge Arena, that headline just felt a little... sideways.

The View From the Sunshine State

So, a paper in Florida, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, decided to weigh in on where the best hockey fanbases are, at least in their state. And their big takeaway, the specific fact they highlighted, was that two cities in Florida apparently "rank high" when it comes to being top spots for hockey fans. Now, bless their hearts down there in the sunshine, they're probably proud of their teams and their fans, and fair play to them for that. Every city has its passion, right? But from our vantage point, looking out over Puget Sound, this kind of assessment just feels like it's missing a whole lot of the picture. It's an interesting perspective, for sure, an outsider's glance at what makes a "hockey town," but it doesn't quite resonate with the roar we hear when the Kraken hit the ice.

Seattle's Hockey Heartbeat

Here in Seattle, we don't just "rank high" for hockey fans, we *are* hockey fans. We are the Kraken faithful, the 12s of the ice, proving every single night that this city is built different. You can feel it in the energy of Climate Pledge Arena, in the anticipation before a big game, in the collective groan and cheer that echoes through the streets. We've shown up, we've bought in, and we've built something truly special from the ground up. This isn't just about a team, it's about an identity. It's about a city that embraced a new sport with open arms and immediately demanded respect. We've got that unique Seattle flavor, that grit and determination, whether it's out on Lumen Field for the Seahawks or tearing it up at T-Mobile Park with Julio Rodriguez. So when an outside paper talks about "best cities for hockey fans," and doesn't mention the absolute explosion of passion happening right here, you can't help but wonder if they're watching the same game. Look, this isn't about throwing shade at Florida. It's about recognizing the fire that burns here for our Kraken. When you hear lists like this, it just lights another spark under you, doesn't it? It makes you want to crank up the volume, cheer even louder, and show the league, and every single news outlet out there, exactly what a true hockey town looks like. So, let them talk about Florida. We'll just keep doing what we do best: showing up, bringing the energy, and bleeding green and blue. The season is rolling, and our passion is undeniable. Let's make sure everyone in the league, from coast to coast, knows exactly who we are.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.