Dunn Joins Gretzky in NHL Home-Opener History

Dynamic as his one-ice playmaking can seem at times, Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn hasn’t been mentioned too often alongside Wayne Gretzky in hockey conversations. 

But with an assist last Sunday on Shane Wright’s second-period goal in a 6-1 win over the Calgary Flames, Dunn recorded a point in his sixth consecutive Kraken home opener. That puts him in rare company as he is just the second player in NHL history to record a point in each of his franchise’s first six or more such home debuts. The other player to do so? Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky. 

The Great One recorded a point in nine consecutive home openers with the Edmonton Oilers from 1979-80 through 1987-88.  

When asked how many other Gretzky records he’s tied, Dunn replied tongue-in-cheek: “A lot—I get that comparison a lot. It was cool to beat, or tie, another one of those records.”  

Dunn, who was born only 50 miles from Gretzky’s hometown of Brantford, Ontario, already holds several Kraken franchise records for a defenseman, including points in a season with 64, assists in a season with 50 and all-time franchise goals, assists and points. He also won the Pete Muldoon Award in 2022-23 as the team’s most valuable player.  

But this home opener points streak puts him in more rarefied air.  

Dunn’s streak began on Oct. 23, 2021, when he took an Adam Larsson pass in the left faceoff circle and fired a wrist shot past Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks to score the first ever Kraken goal at Climate Pledge Arena during Seattle’s inaugural home opener. It came with 3.2 seconds remaining in the first period, and gave Dunn, and his fledgling team, a moment etched in Seattle hockey lore.

He followed that with an assist on a Jaden Schwartz power play goal late in the Kraken’s 2022 home opening loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Dunn then added another assist in 2023, setting up Kailer Yamamoto for Seattle’s lone goal in a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.  

During the 2024 home opener, Dunn opened the scoring against the St. Louis Blues just 27 seconds into the second period. The goal was significant given Dunn was returning from a neck injury that kept him out most of the final two months of the previous season.  

A year later, Dunn continued his streak in even more familiar fashion. He scored Seattle’s first goal of last season just 2:21 into the Kraken’s 3-1 home-opening win over the Anaheim Ducks. As he had four years prior, Dunn took a Larsson pass at the top of the left circle, skated in a bit and then launched a snapshot that beat netminder Lukas Dostal for what became the first home opening win in franchise history.  

Then came Sunday’s home-opener where Seattle walloped the Flames in a repeat of their 6-1 season debut game just three days prior in Calgary’s barn. Dunn’s assist on Wright’s goal at 11:58 of the second period gave him a point in all six of Seattle’s home openers and a seat at the table—at least this one time—alongside arguably the game’s greatest player of all time.  

“There’s a stat for everything, but it’s cool to be neck and neck with The Great One,” Dunn said.  

Dunn’s place in Kraken history has continued to grow with every season. He has been there since the beginning, through the franchise’s first home opener, the first playoff appearance and now the sixth season. The home-opener streak is a reminder of the consistency Dunn has brought to Seattle since arriving that has established him as a veteran voice within the organization.  

As the Kraken continue to shape their identity, Dunn’s role has evolved with them. What started with a memorable goal in the franchise’s first home game has grown into something much bigger—a player who has become increasingly important to the team’s present and future.  

Ahead of this season, it was announced that Dunn would be wearing a letter “A” alongside co-alternate captains Matty Beniers, Brandon Montour and Larsson with Jordan Eberle returning as team captain for a third season.  

“It’s not everything to wear a letter to be a leader,” Dunn said. “I’ve always looked at myself as a leader, even last year. Trying to lead by example. Now there’s just a visual demand on my chest and I’m very honored to wear it.”   

While the Kraken’s history is of course still being written, Dunn for now has guaranteed at least one historical moment – random as it may be – will find his name up alongside arguably the greatest hockey player ever. His assist Sunday left him with 334 points for his career.  

Which means he’s now only 2,523 shy of equaling another all-time Gretzky record.