On an appropriately wet and dreary morning, PWHL Seattle invited some season ticket holders to the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPoP) for their team name and logo reveal. Due to an apparent IT snafu, both the name and logo were leaked prior to the event, but that didn’t put a damper on the excitement from fans. There were a surprising number of them, many already with jerseys, who showed up for the team early on a weekday morning.

The Big Reveal

The wait is over, PWHL Seattle is dead, long live the Seattle Torrent. Alison Lukan was on hand to announce the new team name, and was joined on stage by general manager Meghan Turner, head coach Steve O’Rourke and most of the players (except those currently in Cleveland with Team Canada and Team USA for the rivalry series).

O’Rourke and Turner weren’t shy about their anticipation for the season. Even without any formal practices, the team already is building an identity. “We’re looking to be a positive force on the ice'” said O’Rourke, “it starts with the coaching staff connecting to the players , and the players to each other and that’s when you start to see the force come together.” He wants the fans to feel that force, both when the team takes the ice and when they are out in the community.

These are exciting times, Turner admitted she hasn’t been sleeping and O’Rourke already fired up about a potential rivalry with Vancouver, telling Lukan, “There’s no getting around it. We came in together, we’re gonna be judged together, so the rivalry’s on.” Over 150 Seattle fans are already planning to attend the season opener in Vancouver, which had both leaders waxing poetic about the incredible support the team has already received from the community. O’Rourke pointed to the amazing atmosphere created by Sounders fans who travel when the team plays in Vancouver, and is eager to build on that tradition.

Turner is also looking forward the home opener on November 28th. “We’re ready to go,” she said, “we want teams to come in to Climate Pledge and be a little nervous about stepping on the ice.” She told the crowd that “the fans mean everything to us…and if the Takeover Tour was any indication, Climate Pledge is going to be buzzing.”

The name and logo were made official with a hype video highlighting the area’s natural beauty, the unstoppable nature of water, the intensity of the players, and how these elements will come together to build the teams identity. Hilary Knight also sent a video in her Team USA uniform and shared her thoughts on the branding. She (and Alison) also encouraged folks to tune in to the first game of the rivalry series today at 4:00pm on the NHL Network (or at Rough and Tumble Pub).

Goalie Corrine Schroeder took to the podium next, seeming nervous, but also maybe excited to be speaking to the crowd. She praised fans enthusiasm since day one, and the teams eagerness to become a part of the incredible Seattle sports community.

Team Reactions

What was Schroeder’s first impression of the logo? She loved it, and thought it fitting, both in the literal sense, with all the waterways and rain the area, but also was fitting in terms of team identity. “That’s what we want to be like,” she said “we want to be relentless, we want to be unpredictable, we really want to be a powerhouse.”

First-round Torrent draft pick Jenna Buglioni also weighed in, excited that the branding fit with other sports teams in Seattle. She was eager for the Torrent to “carve our path” in the rich history of Seattle sports. She also enjoyed the iconic S, saying it goes well with the “brother team” in the Seattle Kraken.

GM Meghan Turner admitted she had known the team name for a few months, and it was a hard secret to keep. She thought the name was fitting, bringing together power and momentum. “It’s relentless” she said, “and I think it will play in to how we expect to step on the ice”. Turner shouted out the league for the creation of the branding but admitted that “it’s our job to bring it to life and to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, and we are really excited to do so.”

Team gear is available now for purchase at the Seattle Center Armory and online. The Torrent will take to the ice for their first ever practice next week on November 11th at Kraken Community Iceplex.

Reactions from fans online seem to be mixed. Personally, it’s growing on me, especially after all the talk of powerful waterways and forces of nature. Let me know, what do you think of the team name and logo?