Sports
Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Announces Seattle Team
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is officially coming to Seattle. Announced Tuesday, Seattle will be one of two new expansion teams, joining Vancouver as the league grows from six to eight teams. PWHL Seattle will hit the ice for the 2025-26 season and play home games at Climate Pledge Arena. The team’s colors will be emerald green and cream, with a full brand identity still to come.
The news comes just months after the city hosted a successful “Takeover Tour” game between Boston and Montreal, which drew 12,608 fans. That event helped spotlight Seattle’s appetite for professional women’s hockey.
“Seattle is an incredible sports city, and we’ve seen firsthand the passion for the women’s game,” said Kraken owner Samantha Holloway. “Together we’ll continue to inspire the next generation of hockey players and fans alike.”
The new franchise will be part of the PWHL’s single-entity model, run by The Walter Group. While separate from the NHL’s Kraken, PWHL Seattle will train at the Kraken Community Iceplex and benefit from the city’s growing hockey infrastructure. Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke called the addition “a continuation of what started when people believed in this arena before we even had a name.”
Fans can reserve their spot in line for season tickets starting Wednesday at 11 a.m. PT. Kraken season ticket holders will get first access via email.
PWHL EVP Jayna Hefford hinted at a budding cross-border rivalry: “Given the proximity of our two newest cities, I cannot wait for the first game in what I’m sure will be one of our fiercest rivalries.”
Each PWHL team will play 30 games, and league officials said the schedule will not interfere with other events at the busy Climate Pledge Arena, including any potential NBA team. A doubleheader day with NHL and PWHL games could b on the table.
Seattle’s deep roots in women’s hockey helped make the city a natural pick. Participation in youth girls’ hockey has grown 34% since the Kraken launched, and seven all-girls teams now compete in the area.
“Seattle is the capital of women’s sports,” said PWHL EVP Amy Scheer. “It’s a joy to have PWHL Seattle join the WNBA’s Storm and NWSL’s Reign, both skyscrapers in the city’s towering sports landscape.”
More details on the expansion draft and the 2025 PWHL Draft, set for June 24, are expected in the coming weeks.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
2026 Stars On Ice Announces Olympic Bronze Medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirierat in Vancouver
Canadian figure skating fans are getting a rare post-Olympic victory lap moment this spring.
Fresh off the 2026 Winter Olympics, the country’s top skaters are heading out on the 2026 edition of Stars on Ice, with a stop in Vancouver set for May 12 at Rogers Arena.
Leading the lineup are Olympic bronze medallists Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier. Their free dance this season, inspired by The Starry Night, helped secure their first Olympic podium and quickly became one of the most talked-about programs of the Games.
They’ll be joined by a stacked group of Canadian talent, including world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps. Also on the bill: four-time national champion Madeline Schizas, and rising pair team Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud, who recently picked up medals on the world stage.
The tour leans heavily into nostalgia too. Canadian icon Elvis Stojko returns as a central figure, still known for the kind of power and speed that made him a standout in the ’90s. Kaetlyn Osmond, one of the country’s most decorated skaters with Olympic gold, silver, and bronze to her name, is back as well.
Rounding out the cast are fan favourites Keegan Messing and Roman Sadovsky, with Sadovsky making his Stars on Ice debut. For the Vancouver show, guest performers Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac will join the lineup.
Behind the scenes, Kurt Browning returns as director and choreographer. His work has shaped the tour for years, blending technical skating with a more theatrical style that plays well in an arena setting.
The Vancouver stop is set for 7:00 p.m., with tickets already on sale through the usual outlets. Prices start at $35, with premium on-ice seating and group options available. More information on the Stars On Ice website.