The hockey tale continues in the playoffs for Seattle Kraken and Dutchman Sprong

The club has only been around for two years, but hockey fans in Seattle can already look forward to the prestigious championship fight in the National Hockey League (NHL). Last night, Seattle Kraken beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 to secure the playoffs.

For Daniel Sprong, the only Dutchman in the North American ice hockey competition, these are his first playoff games in which he can play a role. Moreover, despite not having a contract at the beginning of the season.

Over six years in the NHL

The son of former international Hannie Sprong, 26-year-old Sprong grew up in Amsterdam and took his first steps as an ice hockey player there. Keeping an eye on his development as a hockey player, Sprong moved with his family to Île Bizard, near Montreal, Canada, at the age of eight.

In 2016, Sprong made his NHL debut for top club Pittsburgh Penguins. It didn’t immediately become a permanent fixture, and he also injured himself as a member of the training group in the playoffs. For example, he painfully watched the Penguins win the Stanley Cup.

He then had to wait a long time for his breakthrough, but played respectable minutes with the Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals.

Sprong transferred from Washington to Seattle last year but was not awarded a new contract at the end of the season. While preparing for the new season, it forced another place in the selection.

Sprong later had a career-best season for Seattle, scoring 20 goals and 23 assists in 62 games, making his playoffs for the first time.

However, Sprong did not play a major role in the duel with the Coyotes. Regular stars were reserved for Matty Beniers, Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle and top scorer Vince Dunn.

They scored all four goals to secure their 44th win of the season, the club’s most wins in their second year.

In season one, Kraken, named after a legendary giant kraken known to many from the popular Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise, finished last in the Pacific Division with 27 wins.

Former Ajax player in the stands

Football player Nicolás Lodeiro looks to have already won for the challenge on the ice. He and his family sat in the stands in octopus shirts. The Uruguayan, who played for Ajax from 2010 to the summer of 2012, is now captain of the Seattle Sounders football club.

Sprong is only the third-born Dutchman in the NHL. Ed Kea finished first in 1974 and Ed Beers came second in 1982. Moving to Canada even younger than Sprong, both predecessors never made it to the playoffs.

Source: NOS

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