03/22/2024
On Tuesday, March 12, Jordan Eberle of the Seattle Kraken celebrated 1000 games in the NHL, one of the most difficult accomplishments in the sport. I had the incredible honor of painting the portrait that was presented to him during the on-ice pregame ceremony. It captures his game-winning overtime goal in the young franchise’s first playoff win, with the Seattle skyline and Climate Pledge arena in the background. He was joined by this family and a few teammates, as well as the Kraken’s GM Ron Francis, whom I admired in the 90s when he played for the Penguins.
One of the reasons this opportunity was so special to me is because I was obsessed with hockey growing up. When I wasn’t playing roller hockey I was drawing the trading cards of my favorite St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins, plus other NHL stars like Ray Bourque. It was my drawing of Ray that was published in Sports Illustrated for Kids in 1998 and solidified my dream of becoming a professional sports artist. I have been living that dream for almost 10 years and have enjoyed incredible, unexpected opportunities that money can’t buy.
Thank you to the for entrusting me to deliver a painting worthy of Jordan’s career so far.
