ECHL: Kansas City Mavericks and Seattle Kraken Extend Affiliation

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Armand Klisivitch | Last updated Apr 9, 2026 2:53 AM ET

The Kansas City Mavericks and Seattle Kraken have announced a four-year extension on their affiliation agreement which carries them through the 2029-30 season. Over the course of the four seasons affiliated with the Kraken, the Mavericks have made it to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in each of those four seasons including a trip to the Kelly Cup Playoffs in 2024 and two Brabham Cup Championships in 2024 and 2026. Kansas City picked up their third straight Mountain Division Championship this season. This news also comes on the same day that Seattle Kraken GM Ryan Francis announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the season.

AFFILIATION EXTENDED

The partnership continues

Ricky Olczyk, VP & Assistant GM of the Seattle Kraken, and James Arkell, COO of the Kansas City Mavericks, have officially put pen to paper to extend the affiliation.

The Kansas City Mavericks are the proud ECHL affiliate… pic.twitter.com/UoEqmLAJDO
— xyz-Kansas City Mavericks (@kc_mavericks) April 8, 2026

One of the biggest pieces connected to this affiliation is goaltender Jack LaFontaine who is currently on an AHL deal with the Coachella Valley Firebirds . In 28 games with the Mavericks, he’s posted a 22-2-3 record with a 1.98 GAA, .929SV%, and four shutouts and should be in the discussion for goalie of the year. At the AHL level, he’s 4-0 with a 1.84 GAA, .933SV%, and one shutout in four games in Coachella Valley. Jackson Berezowski, Landon McCallum, Zach Uens, and Justin Janicke have also seen time at the AHL level this season. There’s no doubt that this affiliation agreement has worked well so far and should continue to produce talent for Seattle over the next three seasons.