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Kraken add first full-time dietitian at Northgate iceplex

Kraken promoted Brookreson to director of sports performance, Jensen to head strength coach, and hired Madison Yerigan as their first full-time dietitian.

<h6>Seattle Fitness Magazine · 24 Oct 2026</h6><ul><li><strong>14</strong>departments</li><li><strong>7-3-1</strong>record</li></ul><h2>Kraken expand their performance operation at Northgate</h2> <p>The Kraken restructured and expanded their sports performance group for the 2026-27 season, promoting two coaches, adding a third, and hiring the franchise&#x27;s first full-time lead dietitian, the team says.</p><p>The moves follow a Sportsology Group audit commissioned in May 2026 after Ron Francis&#x27;s departure as president of hockey operations. According to CEO Tod Leiweke, the firm spent more than 80 hours reviewing 14 departments and found issues with player development. The upgrades, the Kraken say, are aligned with what the audit found.</p> <h2>Brookreson moves up, Jensen takes the floor</h2> <p><b>GM Jason Botterill created a new director of sports performance role and gave it to Brookreson.</b></p><p>He had been head strength and conditioning coach for Seattle&#x27;s first five NHL seasons and built out the workout space at Kraken Community Iceplex in Northgate. Jake Jensen, who joined the organization in 2021, was promoted to head strength and conditioning coach.</p><p>Botterill said the structure keeps two coaches on the workout floor while giving Brookreson more time with head coach Lane Lambert, the coaching staff, and the analytics group. Brandon Wickett returns as assistant strength and conditioning coach after a season with the Philadelphia Flyers; he spent the two prior years as head strength and conditioning coach with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. When Brookreson and Jensen travel, Wickett stays in Seattle with injured players and maintains contact with Coachella Valley prospects.</p> <h2>The first full-time dietitian in franchise history</h2> <p><b>The lead dietitian role is new to the franchise.</b></p><p>Madison Yerigan joined as the first full-time person in it, coming from a performance dietitian position with University of Washington athletics, according to the Kraken.</p><p>Yerigan oversees meals and menus, recovery drinks, supplements, and all nutrition at the Northgate training center, at Climate Pledge Arena, and on the road, advising players on food habits and meal planning at their Seattle-area homes. She travels with the team on road trips of three games or more. Brookreson said what stood out about her was her standard operating procedures approach: &quot;she has a plan for vitamin D supplementation, hydration testing and sweat testing so that once you set these SOPs, not only do the players understand what the process is, but the people around you and in your life do as well. It makes it easier, not having to re-create the process day to day.&quot;</p> <h2>Seven wins in through eleven games</h2> <p><b>The Kraken are 7-3-1 through eleven games, third in the Pacific Division and what FanRecap calls their best start in franchise history.</b></p><p>For anyone who wants to see the new group&#x27;s results in person: the Kraken host Minnesota at Climate Pledge Arena on October 24 at 7 p.m.</p>
Seattle Fitness Magazine · 24 Oct 2026
  • 14departments
  • 7-3-1record

Kraken expand their performance operation at Northgate

The Kraken restructured and expanded their sports performance group for the 2026-27 season, promoting two coaches, adding a third, and hiring the franchise's first full-time lead dietitian, the team says.

The moves follow a Sportsology Group audit commissioned in May 2026 after Ron Francis's departure as president of hockey operations. According to CEO Tod Leiweke, the firm spent more than 80 hours reviewing 14 departments and found issues with player development. The upgrades, the Kraken say, are aligned with what the audit found.

Brookreson moves up, Jensen takes the floor

GM Jason Botterill created a new director of sports performance role and gave it to Brookreson.

He had been head strength and conditioning coach for Seattle's first five NHL seasons and built out the workout space at Kraken Community Iceplex in Northgate. Jake Jensen, who joined the organization in 2021, was promoted to head strength and conditioning coach.

Botterill said the structure keeps two coaches on the workout floor while giving Brookreson more time with head coach Lane Lambert, the coaching staff, and the analytics group. Brandon Wickett returns as assistant strength and conditioning coach after a season with the Philadelphia Flyers; he spent the two prior years as head strength and conditioning coach with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. When Brookreson and Jensen travel, Wickett stays in Seattle with injured players and maintains contact with Coachella Valley prospects.

The first full-time dietitian in franchise history

The lead dietitian role is new to the franchise.

Madison Yerigan joined as the first full-time person in it, coming from a performance dietitian position with University of Washington athletics, according to the Kraken.

Yerigan oversees meals and menus, recovery drinks, supplements, and all nutrition at the Northgate training center, at Climate Pledge Arena, and on the road, advising players on food habits and meal planning at their Seattle-area homes. She travels with the team on road trips of three games or more. Brookreson said what stood out about her was her standard operating procedures approach: "she has a plan for vitamin D supplementation, hydration testing and sweat testing so that once you set these SOPs, not only do the players understand what the process is, but the people around you and in your life do as well. It makes it easier, not having to re-create the process day to day."

Seven wins in through eleven games

The Kraken are 7-3-1 through eleven games, third in the Pacific Division and what FanRecap calls their best start in franchise history.

For anyone who wants to see the new group's results in person: the Kraken host Minnesota at Climate Pledge Arena on October 24 at 7 p.m.

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