When the new Pacific Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team in Vancouver faces off against the expansion team in Seattle on November 21, the team’s name and logo will be prominently displayed at center ice in Pacific Coliseum. This marks a significant milestone for women’s hockey in Vancouver.
The Vancouver Goldeneyes and the Seattle Torrent are the official names of the two new teams, expanding the PWHL to eight teams from the original six. Players are gearing up for training camps starting this Friday in preparation for the upcoming season.
The branding process for the new teams began earlier this year when Vancouver and Seattle were announced as expansion markets. Kanan Bhatt-Shah, the PWHL’s vice president of brand and marketing, emphasized the importance of nature in the branding process, reflecting the authenticity and strength of each market.
The Vancouver Goldeneyes draw inspiration from the common goldeneye bird, known for its protective nature and distinctive eyes. The team’s logo incorporates elements of nature, with primary colors of Pacific blue, coastal cream, and earthy bronze symbolizing Vancouver’s spirit and resilience.
Meanwhile, Seattle’s branding highlights the region’s waterways, with the Torrent logo featuring a stylized “S” representing Seattle and flowing water. The name Torrent signifies strength and motion, reflecting the natural beauty and energy of the Pacific Northwest.
Despite the new branding, the Vancouver Goldeneyes and Seattle Torrent will wear jerseys with the city names for the first season. The league plans for the names and logos to coexist with the jerseys, embodying the team spirit and identity on and off the ice.
The PWHL regular season kicks off on November 21, with the Toronto Sceptres facing the Minnesota Frost, followed by the Seattle Torrent playing against the Vancouver Goldeneyes on the same night. Each team is scheduled to play 30 games, with a break in the middle for the Olympics.