USA
LA Kraken are back on top of US hockey
Published on 28 June 2022
Three years after the last USA Nationals, organised in Orlando, it is in Denver that 20 teams, divided into three categories, competed from June 24 to 26, 2022.
The Los Angeles Kraken are one of the pillars of American hockey with several podium finishes. Champions in 2014, 2016 and 2017, they did not participate in the 2018 edition and finished fourth in 2019. The three-year forced break seems to have benefited the Krakens, who are back at the top of the standings. With a team made up of some USA international players such as Mike Torchia (USA) and Nate Rust (USA), Los Angeles finished in first place ahead of Club Puck and Homes & Watson. The Krakens finished the competition with a perfect record of 10 wins and 0 losses. They struggled in the final in a California derby against Club Puck, being up 4-3 after leading 3-0. Canadian international Rafael Brunet, a member of the Kraken, completed a perfect season with this title, a few weeks after winning the Canadian championship with CAMO.
In Category B, Casey Nakamura’s Orange County won over the Florida Gators and Minnesota Loons. Finally, in category C, GMU beat Heidi’s Toes and Phoenix.
Ranking A Division :
1- LA Kraken
2- Club Puck
3- Homes & Watson
4- NBS
5- Boston Battlefish
6- Seattle
7- Cincinnati Dumpster Fires
8- Door County Sturgeons
Ranking B division :
1- OC Octopush
2- Florida Gatos
3- Minnesota Loons
4- Oregon Sunshine
5- Colorado Cutthroats
6- LA Kraken B
7- Chicago Shorgis
8- Nomads
Ranking C division :
1- GMU
2- Heidi’s Toes
3- Phoenix
4- Illinois Hockey Hippos
5- Milwaukee Manatees
6- Roger Bacon