Ice hockey in theSeattle metropolitan area includes professional teams as early as 1915, such as theSeattle Metropolitans, the first United States–based team to win theStanley Cup. The area has been represented by various teams in the iterations of theWestern Hockey League (WHL) since 1944, including themajor juniorSeattle Thunderbirds andEverett Silvertips. Presently,Seattle has aNational Hockey League (NHL) franchise, theSeattle Kraken, who began play in the2021–22 season, and aProfessional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) franchise, theSeattle Torrent, who began play in the2025–26 season.
There is also a history of professional minor-league andjunior teams in the nearby cities of thePuget Sound region, such asEverett andTacoma.
Professional ice hockey in Seattle dates back to 1915, with the formation of thePacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA)'sSeattle Metropolitans.
TheSeattle Metropolitans were a professionalice hockey team based inSeattle, playing in thePacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) from1915 to1924. During their nine seasons, the Metropolitans were the PCHA's most successful franchise, as they went 112–96–2 in their nine years as a franchise (outpacing the next best team in theVancouver Millionaires, who went 109–97–2 during that same period). The Metropolitans also won the most regular season PCHA championships, winning five times (while Vancouver won four), with Seattle finishing second on three other occasions.[1] The Metropolitans played their home games at the 2,500 seatSeattle Ice Arena located downtown at 5th and University.
The Metropolitans made seven postseason appearances in their nine seasons. The team won theStanley Cup in 1917, tied for theCup in 1919 and lost in five gamesin 1920. The story of the Metropolitans' 1917 championship, which made Seattle the first American team to win the Cup, was chronicled in the bookWhen It Mattered Most. Seattle's Stanley Cup championship occurred 11 years before theNew York Rangers became theNational Hockey League's first American franchise to win the Cup in1928.[2]
The Metropolitans folded in 1924 when a replacement for the Seattle Ice Arena could not be found. Seattle's next team eligible to win the Stanley Cup, the NHL expansionSeattle Kraken, began play in 2021, and have honored the Metropolitans in various ways since.
The Metropolitans were formed in 1915 as an expansion team byFrank andLester Patrick, the owners of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. The team's name was derived from the Metropolitan Building Company, the entity that built theSeattle Ice Arena on the University of Washington'sMetropolitan Tract property.[3]
A long simmering player war between the NHA and PCHA exploded once again in 1915 when the Patricks caught the Ottawa Senators trying to poach Vancouver's best player,Cyclone Taylor. In response, the Patricks raided theToronto Blueshirts, signingEddie Carpenter,Frank Foyston,Hap Holmes,Jack Walker andCully Wilson for the Metropolitans.[4] The Blueshirts had won theStanley Cup in1914 and this immediately provided Seattle with a competitive squad. To complete the roster,Pete Muldoon signed forwardBobby Rowe and offered a tryout to centerBernie Morris who had both been reserves the previous season in Victoria and cut by the team that summer. Muldoon immediately moved Rowe to defense, where he thrived, and Morris quickly made the team, scoring the game-winning goal in the Metropolitans' first game and eventually becoming a 5-time PCHA All-Star.Roy Rickey was signed a few weeks into the inaugural season after he was released by Vancouver.[5] The Metropolitans signedJim Riley just prior to the 1916–17 season after he, too, was cut by Victoria.
In an era of one-year contracts and rampant player movement, the Metropolitans roster remained relatively stable. With a typical roster of nine skaters, the Metropolitans had seven players spend seven or more seasons in Seattle. Foyston, Walker and Rowe played all nine campaigns while Morris, Holmes and Rickey spent eight years with the Metropolitans and Jim Riley seven, missing 1918 while serving overseas inWorld War I.
The team's official scorer wasRoyal Brougham, who covered the Metropolitans, Sonics, Seahawks and Mariners during his 68-year career at theSeattle Post-Intelligencer.
As early as January 1916,Frank Patrick andLester Patrick talked of the formation of a women's league to complement thePacific Coast Hockey Association.[6] The proposal included teams from Vancouver, Victoria, Portland and Seattle. The league never formed but in January 1917, theVancouver News-Advertiser reported that wives of theSeattle Metropolitans had assembled a team. This team, known as theSeattle Hockeyettes, participated in local tournament play.
| Seattle Vamps | |
|---|---|
| City | Seattle, Washington |
| League | International Ladies' Hockey League |
| Operated | 1920–1921 |
| Home arena | Seattle Ice Arena |
TheSeattle Vamps, also occasionally referred to as theSeattle Sweeties, were a women's ice hockey team based in Seattle that competed in the 1921International Ladies' Hockey League season, the world's first women's tournament of the sport to include entrants from multiple nations.[7]
In February 1921,Frank Patrick announced a women's international championship series that would be played in conjunction with thePacific Coast Hockey Association.[8] The three teams that competed were theVancouver Amazons, Victoria Kewpies, and Seattle Vamps. On February 21, 1921, the Seattle Vamps competed against the Vancouver Amazons in Vancouver, and were vanquished by a 5–0 score. Two days later, the Vamps played against a team from the University of British Columbia and won the game. Jerry Reed scored three goals (a hat trick) in the game for the Vamps. In both games, the Vancouver media referred to the Seattle team as the Seattle Sweeties.[9] The Amazons traveled to Seattle and defeated them again. On March 2, 1921, the Vamps were defeated by the Kewpies 1–0 in Seattle. In the rematch on March 12, the Vamps travelled to Victoria. The result was a 1–1 tie, and Jerry Reed scored the goal for Seattle. The goaltender for the Vamps was Mildren Terran.[9] After the 1921 season, the Vamps and the Kewpies ceased operations.
The closure of theSeattle Ice Arena in 1924, which ended the Metropolitans' existence, necessitated the construction of a new arena. TheCivic Ice Arena was completed in 1928, and with it came the return of professional hockey to Seattle after this four-year hiatus. A Seattle team entered as a founding member of each iteration of thePacific Coast Hockey League.
| Seattle Eskimos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Seattle, Washington |
| League | Pacific Coast Hockey League |
| Operated | 1928–1931 |
| Home arena | Civic Ice Arena |
| Colors | Green, red, white |
| Owner | Pete Muldoon |
TheSeattle Eskimos were a professional ice hockey team based in Seattle from 1928 to 1931. Founded by formerSeattle Metropolitans managerPete Muldoon, the team was a founding member ofthe first iteration of the PCHL, and played in theCivic Ice Arena.[10]
The team wore the barberpole green, red, and white jerseys of the Metropolitans with a modified S wordmark crest.[11][12]
Following the demise ofthe first iteration of the PCHL, theSeattle Sea Hawks began as a founding member of theNorth West Hockey League. The team played in the NWHL during that league's three season existence TheSeattle Sea Hawks (sometimes written as Seattle Seahawks) were a minor professionalhockey team based inSeattle, Washington, playing at theCivic Ice Arena. The Sea Hawks began as a founding member of theNorth West Hockey League, playing in that league for its three-season existence from 1933 to 1936, before joining thesecond iteration of the Pacific Coast Hockey League until 1941.[13][14] They were the NWHL champions in 1935–36.[14] For their final season in 1940–41, the team was sold to new ownership and renamed the Seattle Olympics.
Their first coach and general manager wasFrank Foyston, a formerSeattle Metropolitan and a member of theHockey Hall of Fame.[13][15]
| Seattle Stars | |
|---|---|
| City | Seattle, Washington |
| League | Pacific Coast Hockey League |
| Operated | 1944–1945 |
| Home arena | Civic Ice Arena |
| Owner | Emil Sick |
| Head coach | Roger Jenkins |
TheSeattle Stars, also known asSick's Stars, were a minor professional hockey team based atSeattle'sCivic Ice Arena who played duringthe final iteration of the PCHL's inaugural 1944–45 season.[16] The team was owned byEmil Sick, owner ofRainier Beer and theSeattle Rainiers baseball team.
In their single season, the team was coached byRoger Jenkins, who had coached the previous season for the cross-town rivalSeattle Isaacson Iron Workers. The team won 12 games, lost 14, and tied 1 for a third-place finish in the PCHL's North division, before losing to thePortland Eagles in the first round of the playoffs.[17]
Professional hockey returned to Seattle in the post-war era in the form of two new teams playing inthe final iteration of the PCHL. One team (theStars) folded after one season, leaving the other (the Ironmen) to survive and become theSeattle Totems. Known under several names prior to 1958, the franchise was a member of thePacific Coast Hockey League (renamed theWestern Hockey League in 1952) between 1944 and 1974. In their last season of existence, the Totems played in theCentral Hockey League in the 1974–75 season. They played their home games in theCivic Ice Arena and later at theSeattle Center Coliseum.
After World War II, thePacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL), a major professional league on the West Coast in the 1910s and 1920s, was resurrected as asemi-professional loop. Seattle, as a notably strong hockey town and the first city outside of Canada to host aStanley Cup champion (the 1917Seattle Metropolitans), was granted two franchises, one of which were the Seattle Ironmen.
The club had been founded as an amateur team the previous year[18] in the Northwest Industrial Hockey League,[19][20] where they were known as the Seattle Isaacson Iron Workers. As NIHL teams were operated by war industry companies, most players for the Iron Workers additionally worked at the production lines of the U.S. Navy's Isaacson Steel plant in nearbyTukwila, Washington.[21]
When the club entered the new PCHL in its inaugural 1944–45 season, it was renamed the Seattle Ironmen and hired Frank Dotten as its new head coach. The club had modest success, finishing in first place in the 1947–48 regular season. When the league itself became fully professional for the 1948–49 season, only four of the previous season's players remained, leaving the roster to be replaced by amateur players from Tacoma and the team to finish last in its division.
Over its existence, the Ironmen's most notable stars were Gordon Kerr, the team's leading scorer in those years with 235 points in 244 games, William Robinson, Eddie Dartnell andJoe Bell. Among other notables for the team were futureNHL star goaltenderAl Rollins and legendaryPhiladelphia Flyers coachFred Shero.
The Ironmen served as inspiration for the 2022 Reverse Retro alternate uniform for the NHL'sSeattle Kraken.[20]
In 1952, the league changed its name to theWestern Hockey League (WHL), and the Ironmen themselves changed their name to the Seattle Bombers the following season. The team continued to play poorly for two seasons, and the only bright spot was the debut for Seattle of the greatest minor league scorer of all time,Guyle Fielder. After two seasons of increasing travel costs—for which the Bombers received aid from the league—Seattle suspended operations for the 1955 season.
The team rejoined the WHL as the Seattle Americans the following season, finishing in first place in 1957 led by a tremendous season by Fielder, who broke the professional single season scoring record with 122 points en route to Most Valuable Player honors and the first of four straight scoring championships for Seattle. Among other notables for the Americans wereVal Fonteyne, notable as the least penalized player of all time, future Vezina winnerCharlie Hodge, and futureNational Hockey League general managersEmile Francis andKeith Allen. The team's final season as the Americans, in 1958, saw the first time the franchise would win a playoff series.
The Americans were renamed the Seattle Totems for the 1958–59 season, the name by which it would go for the rest of its existence. Fielder and Filion remained the team's great stars, but like many other WHL teams the Totems had very stable rosters, and players such asMarc Boileau,Gerry Leonard,Bill MacFarland,Jim Powers, Gordie Sinclair and futureNHL coach and general managerTom McVie spent many seasons each in Seattle colors. Allen was the team's coach its first seven seasons as the Totems, guiding the team to a first-place finish in 1959 and to the playoffs six out of the seven years of his tenure. The Totems played the 1974–75 season in theCentral Hockey League after the WHL folded.
On June 12, 1974, the NHL announced new expansion teams in Denver and Seattle that would start play in the1976–77 season. Vince Abbey led the Seattle group.[22] The Seattle team, which according to season ticket promotions would have kept the WHL name of Totems, never played a game. The NHL rescinded the expansion offer later in 1974 after Abbey missed deadlines to pay a deposit and a franchise fee.[23] Abbey and Eldred Barnes filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NHL, seeking $30 million in damages. In December 1983, a judge dismissed the suit while the trial was in progress and ordered the plaintiffs to pay theVancouver Canucks US$600,000 in damages on a counterclaim.[24]
On June 29, 1975, Abbey tried to purchase thePittsburgh Penguins with the intention to move the team to Seattle when they were sold in abankruptcy auction for US$4.4 million.[25]
Another local group attempted to bring an NHL expansion team to Seattle in 1990, but the deal failed due to the financial terms that the NHL demanded. Then-Seattle SuperSonics ownerBarry Ackerley committed to submitting an expansion application to the NHL by a September 15, 1990, deadline as part of a proposed new arena deal, provided that a group could be found willing to meet the NHL's asking price of $50 million.[citation needed] His son Bill, president of the Ackerley Group, worked with Bill Lear of theFirst National Bank of Chicago, in order to find an ownership group for the prospective franchise. The only group to step forward was led byMicrosoft executive Chris Larson and former Seattle Totems player and coachBill MacFarland. Ackerley and the Larson–MacFarland group met multiple times, but the Larson–MacFarland group determined that the expansion franchise was worth $15 million less than what the NHL was asking for.[citation needed]
Ackerley rescinded Seattle's bid without Larson's or MacFarland's knowledge.[23] Larson and MacFarland told the Seattle media that the Ackerley Group cost Seattle a chance at an NHL team. Ackerley responded that Seattle lost its chance because Larson and MacFarland were unwilling to accept the NHL's expansion terms.[26][27] Among the unfavorable terms were very high season ticket requirements; a 20-year arena lease with a "substantial" share of arena revenues from concessions, parking, and ad signage; priority status for postseason arena dates; and a secured US$5 million line of credit in case the league had to take over ownership of the team.[28] The NHL, unable to come to an agreement with any owners in Seattle, instead sold two new franchises to groups in Ottawa and Tampa Bay.[29]
Later talks about an NHL team for Seattle were derailed due to renovations to KeyArena. Prior to renovations in 1994 and 1995, the arena had an ice hockey configuration that had been used by the WHL Totems. After the renovations, which optimized the arena for the Seattle SuperSonics, the arena's scoreboard and seats were not positioned well for hockey games.[30] This was a major factor in themajor juniorSeattle Thunderbirds leaving for theShoWare Center inKent in 2009. In 2012, League deputy commissionerBill Daly stated that KeyArena would be "a difficult arena for hockey" due to the large number of obstructed-view seats.[31] All NHL exhibition games held in Seattle after the renovation were instead hosted at theTacoma Dome, 30 miles (48 km) south of Seattle.[32]
Expansion and relocation proposals often came with a new arena proposal, especially after the SuperSonicsrelocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. Several investors considered Seattle as a locale for expansion or relocation on condition that a suitable arena could be built. In 2011, Don Levin, owner of theChicago Wolves, had expressed interest in building a new arena in nearbyBellevue that could host an NHL team.[33] On February 16, 2012, a plan was announced to builda new arena in Seattle'sSoDo district, just south ofSafeco Field. An investment group led by hedge fund managerChris Hansen proposed the arena, seeking to host a returned SuperSonics franchise and possibly an NHL team as well.
When Greg Jamison was unable to meet a deadline to purchase thePhoenix Coyotes on January 31, 2013, speculation began that the team would be relocated to Seattle.[34] On June 16, 2013, it was confirmed that the Phoenix Coyotes would be moving to Seattle if an arena deal between the team and the City ofGlendale was not reached. Ray Bartozek and Anthony Lanza intended to purchase the franchise for US$220 million and would have begun operations in Seattle for the following season.[35] The relocation plan ended after July 3, 2013, when the Glendale City Council voted 4–3 to keep the Phoenix Coyotes in Glendale.[36]
A 2013 study byNate Silver concluded that Seattle had the largest number of avid ice hockey fans of any U.S. media market that did not have an NHL team.[37]
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On December 4, 2017, theSeattle City Council voted 7–1 to approve amemorandum of understanding between the city of Seattle and the Los Angeles–basedOak View Group, co-founded byTim Leiweke,[38] for renovations of KeyArena. Renovations for the arena began in 2018 and were completed in 2021.[39] The arena was renamedClimate Pledge Arena after a new naming rights deal was signed withAmazon.com. The original roof remains in place, as it is considered a landmark.[40] The rest of the building saw a complete renovation with land being dug down and out.[41] While the renovations were intended for acquiring an NHL franchise, acquiring a new SuperSonics basketball team was also within the design of the approval. On December 7, the NHL's board of governors agreed to consider an expansion application from Seattle, with an expansion fee set at US$650 million.[42] The Seattle ownership group was represented byDavid Bonderman andJerry Bruckheimer, who conducted a preliminary season ticket drive to gauge interest in Seattle.[43]
On February 13, 2018, the Oak View Group filed an application with the NHL for an expansion team and paid a US$10 million application fee.[44][45] At the time, the earliest a Seattle NHL expansion team could have begun playing was the 2020–21 season pending the completion of arena renovations.[44]
On March 1, 2018, a ticket drive began to gauge interests in season ticket deposits. Oak View reported that their initial goal of 10,000 deposits was surpassed in 12 minutes,[46] and that they received 25,000 deposits in 75 minutes.[47] On April 11, 2018,Tod Leiweke was named CEO of Seattle's NHL expansion team.[48] On June 18, 2018,Dave Tippett was named as a senior advisor.[49] Another step towards an expansion team was taken on October 2, 2018, when the NHL Executive Committee unanimously agreed to recommend the expansion bid to a vote of the Board of Governors in December.[50][51]
TheNHL Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve Seattle's expansion team on December 4, 2018.[52] The Seattle Kraken playedtheir first season in 2021–22 as a member of thePacific Division in theWestern Conference, consequently shifting theArizona Coyotes from the Pacific Division to theCentral Division to balance out the four divisions at eight teams each. In May 2019, the team launched an interactive "fan portal" where fans could propose a name and uniform colors for the team, answer poll questions, get information about ticket pricing and seating, and view a timeline of past and future key events involving the club.[53]
On July 23, 2020, the franchise announced their team name, theSeattle Kraken, as well as their team colors, branding, and home jersey.[54] The event was held under the banner of "Release theKraken", a phrase popularized by the 1981 filmClash of the Titans and the2010 remake.[55] "Kraken" was a name that was already popular with fans prior to its official adoption. The franchise's promotional materials state that it was adopted to honor the maritime culture of Seattle, as well as in reference to thegiant Pacific octopus, the largest species of octopus in the world, which can be found in the waters of the Pacific Northwest.[56][57]
On April 30, 2021, the franchise paid the final installment of the $650 million expansion fee, officially making the Seattle Kraken the 32nd team of the NHL.[58]
The Kraken made their first signing,Luke Henman, on May 12, 2021.[59] On June 24, the organization hiredDave Hakstol as their inaugural head coach.[60] On June 28, the Kraken announced theCharlotte Checkers as their inauguralAmerican Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team, sharing them with theFlorida Panthers.[61]
Anexpansion draft was held on July 21, in a similar manner to aprevious expansion draft held in 2017 for theVegas Golden Knights, who were themselves exempt from the 2021 expansion draft.[62][63][64] Notable selections includedJordan Eberle from theNew York Islanders andMark Giordano from theCalgary Flames. The Kraken selected their first draft pick,Matty Beniers, as the second overall selection at the2021 NHL entry draft.[65] The Kraken also signed many other players. Notable signings included goaltenderPhilipp Grubauer and forwardsJaden Schwartz andAlexander Wennberg.[66] On October 11, the Kraken named Mark Giordano as the team's inaugural captain.[67]
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The Kraken played their first regular season game on October 12, a 4–3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, whereRyan Donato scored the team's first goal.[68] The Kraken's first win came in their second game on October 14, when they defeated theNashville Predators 4–3.[69] Following a 6–1 loss to thePhiladelphia Flyers, goaltenderJoey Daccord was named the starter instead of Grubauer in a 4–2 loss to theNew Jersey Devils.[70] The Kraken played their first home game atClimate Pledge Arena on October 23, a 4–2 loss to theVancouver Canucks.[71] Prior to the game, the Krakenretired jersey number 32, in recognition of the franchise being the 32nd to join the NHL and in honor of the 32,000 fans who placed deposits for tickets on the first possible day.[72] The Kraken picked up their first home win on October 26, against theMontreal Canadiens.[73] GoaltenderChris Driedger made his first start with the Kraken on November 9, in a 4–2 loss to the Golden Knights.[74] The Kraken had several losing streaks in their season. However, Philipp Grubauer recorded the franchise's firstshutout, making 19 saves in an 3–0 victory against the New York Islanders.[75] On March 20, 2022, the Kraken's captaincy became vacant after Giordano was traded to theToronto Maple Leafs.[76] The Kraken were eliminated from playoff contention on March 30 following a 3–0 loss to the Golden Knights.[77] The Kraken finishedtheir inaugural season in last place of the Pacific Division with a 27–49–6 record and 60 points.[78]
The Kraken'ssecond season was far better in terms of winning. On July 13, 2022, the Kraken signedMartin Jones to a one-year contract.[79] He made his debut with the Kraken on October 13, notching a 4–1 victory.[80] In early January, Jones led the Kraken through an 8-game win streak. In doing, so the Kraken became the first team to win all seven games of a road trip.[81] On April 6, the Kraken clinched their first playoff berth, qualifying for the2023 Stanley Cup playoffs as the first wild card from the Western Conference with a record of 46–28–8 and 100 points.[82] On April 13, it was announced that forwardAndre Burakovsky would miss the first round of the playoffs after missing the last 33 games of the season, due to an unspecified lower body injury.[83] On April 30, they defeated theColorado Avalanche in the opening round, becoming the first expansion team in NHL history to win their first playoff series against the defendingStanley Cup champions.[84] The Kraken lost to theDallas Stars in the second round in seven games.[85] Both series lasted the full seven games. On June 26, Matty Beniers was named the winner of theCalder Memorial Trophy for being the NHL rookie of the year.[86]
The Kraken struggled offensively in theirthird season, only producing 217 goals. Prior to the season, the Kraken re-signed goaltender Joey Daccord.[87] In December and January, following an eight-game skid, Daccord started in eight out of nine games of a franchise record nine-game win streak, part of a 13-game point streak.[88] In the midst of the streak, Daccord played in the2024 NHL Winter Classic, where he achieved the first shutout inWinter Classic history with a 3–0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.[89] Two days before the NHL's Trade Deadline, the Kraken traded Wennberg to theNew York Rangers in exchange for second and fourth round picks.[90] The Kraken were eliminated from playoff contention on April 3, following a 5–2 loss to theLos Angeles Kings.[91] The Kraken finished their season with a 34–35–13 record and 81 points. On April 29, following the season, head coach Dave Hakstol was fired,[92] being replaced byCoachella Valley Firebirds head coachDan Bylsma on May 28.[93]
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Seattle had long been considered a strong candidate forProfessional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) expansion, having previously demonstrated substantial support for women's hockey. In 2022, the city hosted a Rivalry Series game between theUnited States andCanada women's national teams atClimate Pledge Arena, drawing 14,551 fans—the highest attendance for a Rivalry Series game in history and a then-record for a non-college women's hockey game in the United States.[94]
On January 5, 2025, Seattle hosted its first PWHL game as part of the league's Takeover Tour, a series of neutral-site regular-season games designed to showcase the league in potential expansion markets. TheBoston Fleet defeated theMontreal Victoire 3–2 in a shootout in front of a season-high crowd of 12,608 at Climate Pledge Arena.[95] The event featuredSeattle Kraken assistant coachJessica Campbell—the first female full-time assistant coach in NHL history—performing the ceremonial puck drop, while Seattle sports iconsSue Bird andMegan Rapinoe were in attendance.[96] The strong turnout and enthusiastic reception helped solidify Seattle's case for expansion.
On April 30, 2025, the PWHL officially announced Seattle as one of its first two expansion franchises, alongsideVancouver.[97] The team initially operated as PWHL Seattle during the 2025 offseason before its official identity was revealed.Steve O'Rourke, former head coach of theOshawa Generals, was named the team's inaugural head coach on June 20, 2025.[98]
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The Seattle Torrent identity was officially unveiled on November 6, 2025, at Seattle'sMuseum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in front of media members, city leaders, and season ticket holders.[99][100] The name "Torrent" draws inspiration from the powerful waterways that shape Washington's landscape, symbolizing the team's determination. The logo features an "S" that serves as both a letterform for Seattle and a rush of water, with flowing curves mirroring river channels. The primary color palette consists of Slate Green and Blue (both Shadow and Glacier Blue), reflecting Seattle's distinctive waterways and paying tribute to the city's sports community.[101]
The reveal was narrated by team forwardHilary Knight and introduced the team's tagline: "Forged by nature, unstoppable by will."[102] GoaltenderCorinne Schroeder said of the name, "It's fitting, but it's also fitting in a sense, that's what we want to be. We want to be relentless, we want to be unpredictable, we want to really be a powerhouse."[103] On November 14, 2025, Knight was named the team's inaugural captain.[104]
Like the Kraken, the Torrent play their home games at Climate Pledge Arena and practice atKraken Community Iceplex.[105] The team began play in the 2025–26 PWHL season, facing fellow expansion team Vancouver Goldeneyes in their inaugural game on November 21, 2025, atPacific Coliseum in Vancouver. The sold-out crowd of 14,958 set a new PWHL attendance record for a team's home arena.[106] The first two goals in franchise history were scored byJulia Gosling, but Vancouver rallied to win 4–3 in overtime.[107]
The Torrent's inaugural home game took place on November 28, 2025, against the two-time defending Walter Cup championMinnesota Frost. The game drew 16,014 fans, setting multiple attendance records.[108] The attendance of 16,014 broke several U.S. women's hockey records:
Notable attendees included U.S. SenatorPatty Murray, singer-songwriterBrandi Carlile, and severalSeattle Kraken players and coaches.[113] Captain Hilary Knight described the atmosphere: "It's a dream come true to represent the city of Seattle and what they stand for in terms of supporting their teams. This is a pinch-me moment."[114] Despite the historic turnout, Seattle lost the game 3–0 to Minnesota.
The Torrent earned their first franchise victory on December 3, 2025, defeating theNew York Sirens 2–1 at Climate Pledge Arena in their third game.[115]Alex Carpenter and Knight scored power play goals 22 seconds apart late in the third period to secure the comeback victory.
In the Puget Sound region, two teams participate in the Canadianmajor junior leagues: theSeattle Thunderbirds, based 20 miles (32 km) south of Seattle inKent, andEverett Silvertips, 25 miles (40 km) north of Seattle inEverett. Both play in the U.S. Division of the Western Conference of theWestern Hockey League (WHL). From 1991 to 1995, the WHL also included a team fromTacoma, theTacoma Rockets.
TheSeattle Jr. Totems compete in theUnited States Premier Hockey League and play their home games at Olympic View Arena inMountlake Terrace, Washington, 13 miles (21 km) north of Seattle.
The team was founded in 1971 as theVancouver Nats of the Western Canada Hockey League, but moved toKamloops,British Columbia, after just two seasons to become theKamloops Chiefs in 1973.[116] In 1977, the team moved again, this time to Seattle, and was renamed the Seattle Breakers.[116] The move came just years after the city narrowly missed out on securing aNational Hockey League franchise.[117] The Breakers began play in1977–78, and played out of theSeattle Center Arena. Through eight seasons, the Breakers finished with a regular season record of 225 wins, 319 losses, and 32 ties; and playoff record of 11 wins and 21 losses, twice advancing as far as the West Division finals.[118] The team nearly folded in 1982 when, under owner John Hamilton, it filed forChapter 11 bankruptcy. This reality, combined with novel promotions like honoring unusedSeattle Seahawks tickets at the gate, boosted attendance at Breakers games.[119] This was also helped by on-ice success. Despite the off-ice challenges, the team, under coach Jack Sangster, swept theVictoria Cougars in the playoffs to advance to the Division finals. There, they faced the rivalPortland Winter Hawks, dropping the series to the eventual champions 4 games to 2.[119]
After the 1984–85 season, the Breakers were sold to new owners and renamed the Seattle Thunderbirds as part of an extensive re-branding.[120] Along with the new name, the team changed its color-scheme from orange, blue, and white, to green, blue, and white, announced a renovation plan for its home arena, and by 1990 began playing some of its games at the largerSeattle Center Coliseum.[120][121] New management promised to spare no expense and to turn the team into a contender. This included hiringRuss Farwell as manager andBarry Melrose as coach—the two had been instrumental in theMedicine Hat Tigers' 1988 Memorial Cup championship.[122] However, despite the scoring exploits ofGlen Goodall—Goodall set new league records for goals (262) and points (573) and had his number 10 jersey retired when he turned professional in 1990[123]—it would be twelve years before the Thunderbirds broke through to their first league final. Led by star forwardPatrick Marleau, the Thunderbirds faced theLethbridge Hurricanes in the 1997 championship series, which they lost in a sweep.[124] Although the Thunderbirds would win their first and second regular season Division titles in 2002–03 and 2004–05, the eighteen seasons after their first finals appearance would see the team advance past the second round of the playoffs just once.
In 2006, the Thunderbirds announced their intention to move to a brand new arena being constructed in Kent, south of Seattle.[125] The purpose-built arena was a major attraction for the team.[126]
2015 marked the beginning of the most successful period in team history, as the Thunderbirds advanced to the finals four times in eight seasons, twice capturing the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions. Led by the likes ofMatthew Barzal,Ethan Bear, andKeegan Kolesar, the 2015–16 season saw the Thunderbirds capture their first Division title since 2005 and make their deepest playoff run since 1997 when Matthew Wedman's game four overtime goal sent the Thunderbirds past theKelowna Rockets and into the championship final.[127] They lost the final in five games to theBrandon Wheat Kings.[128] The following season, the Thunderbirds returned to the final, where they faced theRegina Pats. They defeated the Pats in six games, withAlexander True scoring the title-winning goal in overtime of game six to secure Seattle's first championship.[129] With the win, Seattle advanced to the2017 Memorial Cup tournament, where they were eliminated after three straight losses in the preliminary round.[130]
After two straight first-round exits and two years without playoffs due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the Thunderbirds again emerged as a contender in the 2021–22 season. That season, the team returned to the finals and faced theEdmonton Oil Kings to contest the first league playoff title since 2019. Seattle lost the final in six games.[131] The following season was the best in Thunderbirds' history with the team posting 54 wins and 111 points.[132] In the playoffs, they eliminated the Memorial Cup-hostKamloops Blazers in the Western Conference championship, moving on to face theWinnipeg Ice in the title series.[133] They defeated the Ice in five games to earn a berth in the2023 Memorial Cup tournament.[134] There, led byDylan Guenther and goaltender Thomas Milic, the Thunderbirds advanced to the tournament final, which they lost to theQuebec Remparts.[135]
The Thunderbirds are one of five teams based in Washington, along with theTri-City Americans,Spokane Chiefs,Wenatchee Wild, andEverett Silvertips. The Thunderbirds have built an enduring rivalry with thePortland Winterhawks, dating back to the 1980s.[121][136] Everett is the closest team to Seattle and a natural rival; and the two teams have met regularly in the playoffs, including a three-year stretch between 2016 and 2018 where the winner of the series between the two made it all the way to the championship series.[137]
Marcel Comeau was hired to be the first coach of the Rockets, and stayed with the team all four seasons.[138] The 1991–92 season marks the first season of the expansion side Rockets, who began play in theTacoma Dome, one ofNorth America's largest hockey arenas. The inaugural Rockets blasted their way to one of the most memorable inaugural seasons in the 25-year history of theWestern Hockey League. Attendance of 14,975 and 15,240 at two heated contests against their then arch rival, theSeattle Thunderbirds. This assisted the Rockets in chalking up the highest per game average for a first year expansion team under theCanadian Hockey League umbrella.
In 1992–93, the Rockets startled everyone in the league by winning 24 straight home games for an all-time Western Hockey League record. Tacoma held first place in the West Division for three months and finished with a promising 45–27–0 season. Head coachMarcel Comeau won theDunc McCallum Memorial Trophy as the WHL coach of the year, and theCHL Coach of the Year Award as well.[138] In addition to their winning streak, the Rockets home record of 36–6–0 and collecting 37 more points than the previous year, proved them serious contenders in the WHL. Once again the Rockets attendance of 13,769 saw them defeat the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-2 in win number 24, marking the third largest crowd in the history of the WHL. Three Rockets won best in the WHL West. Goaltender,Jeff Calvert – Most Valuable Player;Michal Sýkora – Most Valuable Player; andJamie Black selected as Most Sportsmanlike Player.
The 1993–94 season marked the year of transition for the Rockets, with the graduation of high scoring veteranAllan Egeland, a solid forward,Trever Fraser, and netminder, Jeff Calvert. The Rockets' third season also brought forward some of the league's best rookies and a phenomenal base of nineNHL drafted players. Six alone were selected in1994, bringing the total to thirteen Rockets drafted in three seasons. Rockets finished third in the Western Hockey League with a 33–34–5 record.
With a strong finish in the 1993–94 season, the Rockets strove to compete at a higher level of excellence. They launched their third season boasting size in defense and the strength of nine NHL draft picks. Adding the skill and talent of one ofEurope's top young forwards,Václav Varaďa, who slotted 50 points and tied the team's rookie scoring record.Todd MacDonald,1993Florida Panthers draft choice, became the team's top goalie, nominated for the Best in the West award. VeteranDallas Thompson became teamCaptain. This combination brought the Rockets to a second-place finish in the West.
After the 1994–95 season, low attendance forced the team to move toKelowna,British Columbia after only four seasons, where they became theKelowna Rockets. While the Rockets drew high attendance numbers when they played theSeattle Thunderbirds, they did not draw as well with other teams. TheTacoma Dome was not well-suited for hockey as the risers for the seats were too shallow, making the sightlines bad for hockey.
The city of Everett, with plans to build a new downtown arena complex, applied for a WHL franchise and was awarded conditional approval for an expansion franchise from the league in 2001.[139] With the new team falling within the territorial rights of theSeattle Thunderbirds, Seattle ownership was given right of first refusal to purchase the new team; Bill Yuill decided to sell the Thunderbirds in order to take over the new expansion club.[140][141] The new multi-million dollar complex, the Everett Events Centre, was completed ahead of the team's inaugural season, offering a seating capacity of 8,200.[142] In 2003, the team hired formerNational Hockey League coachKevin Constantine to be its first head coach.[143]
Beginning play in the 2003–04 season with a roster built through an expansion draft, the Silvertips rapidly established themselves as the best expansion team in league history. By January, Everett posted its 19th win of the season, breaking the previous expansion record of 18 wins posted by the1995–96Calgary Hitmen.[144] The team would go on to win 35 games and finish atop the U.S. Division standings. In the playoffs, the Silvertips advanced all the way to the league final, upsetting the defending champion and heavily-favoredKelowna Rockets in the Western Conference final, with defenderMitch Love opening the series with an overtime goal.[145] The team faced theMedicine Hat Tigers in the championship series, losing four straight games to fall short of the title. By the end of the year, the Silvertips, who earned a reputation as a disciplined defensive team, had set new records for an expansion team in every category.[140][145] Constantine was named the league's coach-of-the-year.[146]
Three seasons later, the Silvertips won theScotty Munro Memorial Trophy for the best regular season record after its 54-win, 111-point season, before losing in the second round of the playoffs.[147] That season, the team's first ever bantam draft selection,Zach Hamill, became the first Silvertip to lead the WHL in scoring.[148]
The team's success on the ice translated into fan support, and the Silvertips earned a reputation for drawing strong crowds—more than a decade into the team's history, the Silvertips were in the top half of the league in attendance.[140][149]
Everett established itself as a perennial playoff team, and in 2017–18, led by goaltenderCarter Hart and coachDennis Williams, the Silvertips made a second run to the league championship series.[150] After a 47-win season, the team's best since 2007, Everett faced theSwift Current Broncos in the playoff finals, ultimately losing the series in six games.[150][151] Hart's dominant season—he was named the league's best player, on top of being named its best goaltender for a third straight season[152]—added to the team's historic reputation for exceptional goaltending.[153] After Hart turned professional,Dustin Wolf was named top goaltender two years in a row.[154]
Ahead of the 2024 playoffs, it was announced that long-time coach and manager Williams would be leaving the Silvertips after the season.[155]
The city of Tacoma has hosted three now-defunct professional minor-leaguehockey franchises.
| Tacoma Tigers | |
|---|---|
| League | Pacific Coast Hockey League |
| Operated | 1928–1931 |
| Owner | H.A. Briggs |
| Head coach | Mickey MacKay |
| Franchise history | |
| 1928–1930 | Victoria Cubs |
| 1930–1931 | Tacoma Tigers |
TheTacoma Tigers were Tacoma's first entry into professional hockey, and played in thePacific Coast Hockey League for part of the 1930–31 season. The Tigers were founded in 1928 inVictoria, British Columbia as theVictoria Cubs, whose arena burnt down on November 10, 1929, following the 1928–29 season. The Cubs spent the 1929–30 season as atraveling team before being purchased by H.A. Briggs with the intention of relocation to Tacoma.[156][157]
The team's stint representing Tacoma was a short one, as the team only played ten away games of their expected 35 game schedule before folding. The Tigers scored 12 goals and conceded 24 over the course of their two wins, seven loss, and one tie, two games of which were a double-header of shortened two-period games in Vancouver. The team was coached byMickey MacKay.
Despite a deadline extension from the league, the Tigers were unable to procure funding for the planned construction of their new hockey arena in Tacoma, and thus were disbanded on January 1, 1931.[157]
The longest-lasting professional team to play in the city were theoriginal Tacoma Rockets.
The Rockets played in thePacific Coast Hockey League from 1946 to 1952, which was renamed theWestern Hockey League during the Rockets' final season of 1952–1953. For that final season, they played their home games in theTacoma Ice Palace, having previously played at the Tacoma Arena.[158][159]
TheRockets name was resurrected from 1991 to 1995 in the newmajor juniorWestern Hockey League, untilthe team's relocation toKelowna,British Columbia.
TheRockets were resurrected in theWestern Hockey League in 1991 at the Tacoma Dome to record crowds, beforemoving to Kelowna, British Columbia in 1995. Filling this void, theTacoma Sabercats formed in the now-defunctWest Coast Hockey League in 1997.
Tacoma immediately emerged as a power in the WCHL, winning the regular season Northern Division title and reaching the league finals in its first season. However the Sabercats were defeated by the defending championSan Diego Gulls in the league's Taylor Cup finals.[160]
The following season, 1998–99, Tacoma won its second WCHL Northern Division title and defeated the Gulls in the Taylor Cup finals, becoming the first team other than San Diego to win the WCHL title in the league's history.[161][162] Although the Sabercats won the WCHL Northern Division a third time in 1999–2000, the team failed to win another league championship.
Despite a strong following in the Tacoma area with over 1,500 season ticket holders, the Sabercats were folded in May 2002 by owner Coach-Sports. They had been eliminated by theIdaho Steelheads in the 2002 WCHL playoffs immediately before ceasing operations.[163]
