The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is expanding, and Seattle is officially part of the league, with the team set to debut in the 2025-26 season. The announcement on April 30, 2025, marks a significant milestone for women's hockey in the Pacific Northwest, bringing the total number of teams in the league to eight. Seattle joins Vancouver as the PWHL's newest expansion teams, building upon the league's initial six teams.
Seattle's team will play its home games at Climate Pledge Arena, sharing the venue with the Seattle Kraken (NHL) and the Seattle Storm (WNBA). The team will train at the Kraken Community Iceplex. The team's colors will be emerald green and cream, similar to the Storm's color scheme. The Kraken organization was part of the bidding group and will assist the PWHL team with marketing and business operations. Meghan Turner has been hired as the General Manager for PWHL Seattle. The head coach and team captain have yet to be announced.
The expansion of the PWHL to Seattle has been met with enthusiasm. The city has a strong track record of supporting women's sports, as demonstrated by the success of the Storm and the Reign. Climate Pledge Arena hosted a USA vs. Canada Rivalry Series game in November 2022, drawing a crowd of 14,551, setting a U.S. record for attendance at a women's hockey game. In January 2025, a PWHL "Takeover Tour" game between Boston and Montreal drew over 12,000 fans.
The PWHL has announced the rules and procedures for the 2025 expansion roster-building process. The process includes protected player lists, an exclusive signing window, an expansion draft, and the 2025 PWHL Draft. The six original teams have protected three players each from selection in the Exclusive Signing Window and the Expansion Draft. The exclusive signing window for Seattle and Vancouver began on June 4, 2025, and runs until June 8, 2025, with the Expansion Draft following on June 9, 2025. After each original team loses two players, they can protect one additional player.
Several mock expansion drafts have been conducted by hockey analysts, attempting to predict which players Seattle might select. These mock drafts consider factors such as player skill, experience, potential, and contract status. The actual selections will depend on the team's strategy and the players available.
The PWHL's expansion to Seattle is expected to further boost the growth of hockey in the region. The Kraken's arrival in 2021 has already led to increased youth participation, ticket sales, and overall engagement with the sport. The addition of a professional women's team is a logical next step.
The PWHL Seattle team will operate under that name until a permanent brand identity is announced. Fans can place a deposit to secure priority access to season tickets for Seattle's inaugural season. The team's first season is expected to begin in late fall 2025 and run through late spring, with each team playing 15 home games. The upcoming season will coincide with the 2026 Winter Olympics, a major showcase for women's hockey.
