When the Vancouver-based PWHL franchise faces off against Seattle on November 21, the team’s name and logo will be prominently displayed at center ice in the Pacific Coliseum, marking a significant milestone for women’s hockey in the region.
The new team, named the Vancouver Goldeneyes, will compete against their expansion counterpart, the Seattle Torrent. This expansion sees the PWHL growing to eight teams from its original six, with players gearing up for training camps starting Friday in anticipation of the upcoming season.
The branding process for the two new teams commenced earlier this year with a focus on capturing the essence of the respective cities. Vancouver draws inspiration from the protective common goldeneye bird native to the area, with its logo incorporating the bird’s distinctive eye and colors reflecting the local landscape. On the other hand, Seattle’s branding highlights the city’s waterways, symbolized by a stylized “S” in the Torrent’s logo.
While the new team names and logos are already available for purchase, the jerseys for the Goldeneyes and Torrent will initially feature the city names across the chest before transitioning to the branded jerseys in subsequent seasons. The league’s season opener is set for November 21, with each team scheduled to play 30 games and a break during the Olympics.
The league’s approach to branding this time around involved early community consultations and fan feedback to ensure a cohesive and authentic representation of each team’s identity. This strategy differs from the original six teams, which unveiled their names and logos after completing a full season to establish their identities within the community and on the ice.