Families, Get Ready! Seattle Torrent Bring Fast-Paced Hockey Action to Climate Pledge Arena

Seattle’s sports scene just got even cooler. The Seattle Torrent, our brand-new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team, hits the ice for its first-ever home game when they play the Minnesota Frost on Friday, Nov. 28, at Climate Pledge Arena. This game isn’t just another night at the arena: “Those who join us in our inaugural season are part of something historic for our city, helping build a new major pro franchise that they’ll be talking about for decades to come,” says Madi McNamara, director of team business operations for the Torrent. 

Whether your kid’s a budding skater or just loves live action, you’ll leave inspired, and probably planning your next trip back to the rink. Here are five reasons a Torrent game should be on your family calendar this season, plus a few tips to make it a hat-trick family outing.

1. The vibe is welcoming

From little-kid jerseys to all-ages fan zones, the family-friendly vibe is intentional. At Climate Pledge, strollers are welcome and there’s a private room for nursing parents on the southwest side of the main concourse. 

Torrent games are also a cool option for birthday parties; packages include meet and greets with the players and even Zamboni rides! (Interested? Reach out to the team’s fan development director via email: Carly.Johnson@thepwhl.com.)

Pro tip: Look for Sunday afternoon games or themed events like “Kids & Youth Hockey Day” (Sunday, March 29 at 4 p.m.). They’re designed with families in mind and usually feature earlier start times, kid-friendly concessions and interactive fun. 

2. It’s affordable and accessible 

Tickets start around $30, and there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. Families can enjoy the thrill of professional hockey without the big-league price tag. The PWHL also offers mini-plans and youth discounts that make repeat visits easy. 

Pro tip: Arrive early. Parking can be tricky and entry lines long. But you may be rewarded for your punctuality — early birds often get access to giveaways or pregame fan zones. 

3. The players are world-class athletes 

Torrent players are elite athletes — Olympians, national team standouts and trailblazers who’ve fought to build a sustainable women’s league. Stars to watch: Team captain Hilary Knight, a four-time (soon to be five-time) Olympian and 10-time world champion forward; two-time Olympian defender Cayla Barnes; and Seattle native forward Marah Wagner. 

Pro tip: Before the game, look up the bios of some of the players together. Many Torrent athletes have inspiring backstories that can help kids connect the on-ice talent to real-world determination. 

4. You’re supporting something bigger 

Buying a ticket or a hoodie does more than back a team, it helps grow women’s sports and shows young fans that passion and persistence can build something new. 

Pro tip: Grab some official Torrent merch before the game or at the arena, or make a sign to take to the game. Kids love having something to wear or wave, and it’s a great way to spark conversation about what the team stands for. 

5. It’s fast, fierce and genuinely exciting 

The games are intense, fast and physical, but still family-friendly. The pace keeps kids engaged without long lulls or delays. 

Pro tip: Choose seats along the side boards instead of behind the goal; you’ll get a clearer view of the action, which makes it easier for kids to track the puck and stay engaged.

Hockey 101: Talk the talk before the puck drops 

Here’s a quick guide to the lingo you’ll hear at a Torrent game, so you can cheer like a pro. 

• Biscuit: The puck.
• Breakaway: A player gets loose with the puck and only the goalie to beat.
• Chirp: Hockey slang for (hopefully good-natured) trash talk between players.
• Faceoff: The puck drop that starts play. You’ll see one at center ice after every goal.
• Five-hole: The space between the goalie’s pads, a prime scoring target.
• Hat trick: Three goals scored by the same player in one game. (Fans actually throw hats on the ice.)
• Icing: When a player fires the puck too far down the ice without it being touched (a no-no).
• Power play: When one team has more players on the ice because the other has a player in the penalty box.
• Penalty kill: The short-handed team trying to run out the penalty by killing as much time as possible and preventing the other team from scoring.
• Slap shot: A shot made by making a full backswing of the stick.
• The barn: An old-school term for the arena.
• Top shelf: A goal that rockets into the upper corner of the net.
• Wrist shot: A quick snap of the wrist to shoot the puck.