Young girls in Pacific Northwest excited about PWHL’s arrival in Seattle

Elly Garcia-Dudek is a 12-year-old hockey enthusiast who can often be found gazing out onto the ice during practices at the Kraken Community Iceplex. She looks up to women’s national team stars like Hilary Knight, who played for the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women’s Hockey League last season. Fortunately for Garcia-Dudek, she won’t have to look far for role models like Knight in the near future.

The PWHL is expanding to Vancouver and Seattle next season, and Garcia-Dudek, along with her family, are already committed fans. They have secured season tickets for PWHL Seattle and are thrilled that Knight will be playing in their city. Garcia-Dudek finds watching women play with contact in the PWHL inspiring and hopes to one day follow in their footsteps.

Seattle’s PWHL team is expected to have a strong offensive lineup, led by the talented Knight, a four-time Olympian and MVP finalist last season. General manager Meghan Turner praised Knight’s skills on and off the ice, highlighting her superstar qualities.

The expansion of the PWHL to the Pacific Northwest, with teams in Vancouver and Seattle, marks a significant milestone for women’s hockey in the region. The presence of the NHL’s Kraken since 2021 has already had a positive impact on youth hockey in Seattle. Martin Hlinka, director of the Kraken Youth Hockey Association, credits the team’s influence for the significant growth in youth hockey participation.

The addition of PWHL Seattle is expected to further boost interest in hockey at the youth level in Seattle. Over the years, there has been a noticeable increase in youth hockey players in Washington, with more kids getting involved in the sport since the Kraken’s inception.

Julia Takatsuka, a goalie co-ordinator for the Jr Kraken, has witnessed the growth of hockey in Seattle firsthand. She recalls a time when she had to travel to Canada for tournaments and lacked proper facilities for training. The Iceplex, with its state-of-the-art amenities, has been a game-changer for young players like Garcia-Dudek.

While Seattle still has room to grow as a women’s hockey hub, the seeds for future growth have been planted. The University of Washington’s women’s club hockey team started its inaugural season in 2021, providing opportunities for players like Regan Thomas to continue pursuing their passion for the sport.

As more young girls in the Pacific Northwest are exposed to pro women’s hockey in Seattle, they will have access to inspiring role models and opportunities to dream big. Lindsay Skogmo, a parent of a young player on the Jr Kraken team, believes that having a professional women’s team in Seattle will empower girls and showcase the strength of female athletes.

The introduction of pro women’s hockey to Seattle represents a significant step forward for the sport in the region. With increasing interest and support, the future looks bright for women’s hockey in the Pacific Northwest.