The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is icing a new expansion team in Seattle, set to skate into the fray come the 2025/26 season. As outlined by SportsPro, the city's squad will call the Climate Pledge Arena home, with their training ground nestled in the Kraken Community Iceplex. Though currently unnamed and going by the placeholder "PWHL Seattle", the team joins the league as its eighth, following closely on the heels of Vancouver's team, the league's seventh franchise.
Seattle's fiery hockey enthusiasts have warmly received the announcement, heralding a new era for both the city and women's sports. "This is awesome, I mean honestly, this is such a triumphant moment for women’s sports in general, but specifically hockey," Shoreline native and exuberant supporter Kelly Stephens Tysland told KOMO News. Their first puck drop is scheduled earlier than some might think, with the PWHL's second season inauguration in November.
Around the league, the PWHL continues its celebration of excellence with the Minnesota team, the 2024 Walter Cup Champions, receiving an emblem of success. Featuring "Minnesota" set over the Walter Cup and adorned with 74 diamonds representing the team's goal tally from the winning season, the rings also boast the championship game date and score engraved inside. "2024" and "Champions" are stamped for posterity on the ring's face, with the team motto "Win one game" lying just below, according to the official NHL announcement.
