Kraken have gone Hollywood in only second year in league
With Hollywood producer Bruckheimer as part of the ownership group, the Seattle Kraken were always going to have a cinematic element to their video productions.
When the Kraken decided to revamp their pregame introductions during the offseason, Bruckheimer was involved to go over ideas. On one such Zoom meeting, Bruckheimer said he had a friend who might be willing to do a favor and provide some grandiose music that would build to a crescendo as players hit the ice.
His pal: Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer Zimmer.
“When I watched their game presentation, which I thought was very good, the one thing that they missed was the kind of explosion when the players come on the ice. Musically that could be very interesting because they’re basically gladiators going to battle,” Bruckheimer told The Associated Press. “I felt that I’ve been working with Hans Zimmer on ‘Top Gun,’ and he’s a composer that certainly can write that kind of theme for the players and for the team.”
If you want music for gladiators, well, get the guy who wrote the score for “Gladiator.”
Bruckheimer called in
that favor from Zimmer, who created an eightminute original composition for the Kraken. Part of it is used during the threeminute introduction video that plays just before Seattle takes the ice.
The Kraken are also playing Zimmer’s music during breaks in the game, in promotional TV spots and even on the Seattle Monorail for fans en route to Climate Pledge Arena.
“He’s got an amazing ability to write phenomenal themes. Very simple, phenomenal themes,” Bruckheimer said.
Zimmer won his second Academy Award for Best Original Score earlier this year, for “Dune.” He won previously in 1995 for “The Lion King” and has been nominated nine other times.
Zimmer also has three Golden Globes and four Grammys. While he has worked primarily in movies, Zimmer also has a few video game scores on his resume.
But this was his first venture into hockey.
Saturday’s games
• Taylor Hall scored a power-play goal 4:49 into overtime, and the Boston Bruins beat the Minnesota Wild, 4-3,in Boston. Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury had stopped eight shots in overtime to that point. The Bruins improved to 5-1 under new coach Jim Montgomery.
• Yegor Sharangovich and Dawson Mercer scored second-period goals to help New Jersey win its third in a row with a 2-1 win against San Josein Newark, N.J. The loss continued a horrendous start for the Sharks, who are now1-6-0.
• Marcus Johansson scored on a wraparound late in regulation to help Washington beat Los Angeles Kings,4-3, in a game in which it trailed by two goals in the thirdperiod.
• Brady Tkachuk scored twice and Ottawa defeated Arizona, 6-2, for its third win ina row.
•Jordan Binnington made 23saves for the shutout as the Bluesremained perfect (3-0-0) with a 2-0 victory on the road againstEdmonton.