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Seattle Torrent Protect Wilgren, Murphy, Carpenter in Expansion Draft

The Torrent have made some interesting choices in the upcoming expansion process by choosing to protect Anna Wilgren, Hannah Murphy, and Alex Carpenter. Not exactly an expansion draft, the PWHL’s Expansion Roster Distribution Process is a six-phase series of very complicated (I would argue unnecessarily complicated) rules to add four new teams to the previously eight-team league, increasing the size by 50%. Because so many of the players are free agents, they couldn’t do a traditional expansion draft process, so we ended up with this. The Torrent signed Alex Carpenter and protected her, which was one of the three protection slots. The players on the roster eligible for protection are Fowards: Jenna Buglioni, Mikyla Grant-Mentis, Hannah Bilka, Alex Carpenter, Lexia Adzija, Danielle Sardachny Defenders: Cayla Barnes, Anna Wilgren Goalies: Corinne Schroeder, Hannah Murphy Everyone else is a free agent, including Hilary Knight. It’s all turmoil these days with expansion. With two more slots to go, the Torrent chose to protect defender Anna Wilgren and goalie Hannah Murphy. “Ha ha, Zaiem,” I can hear you saying now with a tinge of contempt, “you’ve made a mistake. You accidentally typed some other name instead of Hannah Bilka’s! Nice journalism and attention to detail.” If only. Yes that’s right, forward Hannah Bilka was not protected. Now, I don’t know what GM Meghan Turner is thinking here, but one thing that is of concern is that Bilka did not return to the Torrent after sustaining an undisclosed injury en route to winning gold in the Olympics in Milan. Since hockey injuries aren’t required to be disclosed and therefore never ever are, we don’t know what it was (is?). Maybe it’s serious? Maybe they are betting that she won’t get taken by an expansion team because of the injury? Or maybe it’s just an interesting decision. Hannah Murphy is not a surprising pick. She’s 22 years old and she has a lot of upside as a goalie, a position that tends to peak later in age. I also find her impossibly charming, but that was probably not a factor in the decision to keep her (probably). Defender Anna Wilgren was the third protection slot, which was the real surprise. Bilka or Barnes were the ones I was expecting, but Wilgren was a surprise. I have, however, since talked myself into it. Steve O’Rourke, the recently fired Torrent coach, spoke highly of her and I do like her 200 foot game. He talked about how she altered her game to try to make the Olympic team and it messed with her a bit, but as the season went on, she got better and better. Anna Wilgren being protected by the Seattle Torrent is probably the one decision that stands out as a surprise to most.My mind immediately went back to the postgame after her 3-point game vs. Minnesota. O'Rourke is obviously gone, but it shows how the org feels about her. pic.twitter.com/EMlQuiKX2B— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) June 3, 2026 And so we march on with this overwrought expansion process. Where were you when we moved from Phase 1 to Phase 2?

Crazy Socialist Mayor of Seattle Says Cars Not Allowed to Drive on ‘Trains-Only’ Train Tracks

As if Seattle’s crazed socialist mayor hadn’t oppressed the city’s car drivers enough already with new bus-only lanes for her Route 8 stretch limo, today Mayor Katie Wilson reminded everyone that “trains-only” train tracks are for trains only, not cars. “I have to admit I thought this was a self-evident, bipartisan issue, but in light […]

Seattle Torrent Sign Alex Carpenter, Protect Her From Expansion Thieves

The Seattle Torrent re-signed forward Alex Carpenter to a 3-year PWHL Standard Player Agreement on June 2, keeping one of the franchise’s foundational pieces through 2028-29 and committing one of the team’s 3 protection slots under the league’s Expansion Roster Distribution Process (proper noun) ahead of 2026-27. If that sounded like word salad, it’s the entire expansion process is word salad. Carpenter signed as one of Seattle’s foundational players in June 2025 and played all 30 regular-season games of the inaugural season, serving as one of the first alternate captains in team history. The 32-year-old from North Reading, MA, tied Julia Gosling for the team scoring lead with 20 points, led the Torrent with 12 goals, and ranked second with 8 assists. Carpenter came to Seattle after playing 2 seasons with the New York Sirens. She’s the third all-time leading scorer in PWHL history with 63 points (31, 36A) and she has 16 power play assists, the actual most in league history. She’s also an Olympic medalists, having won gold in the 2026 Winter Games, and winning silver in Beijing 2022 and Sochi 2014. (She was left off the She represented the United States at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and won her first gold after silver in Beijing 2022 and Sochi 2014. (She was a shocking cut from the 2018 gold medal-winning Pyeongchang team, so Milan was her first Olympic gold). She has 18 Olympic points (11G, 7A), which is fifth all-time in U.S. Olympic women’s history. The PWHL is adding four teams this season, and since so much of the league is not under contract, they can’t do a traditional expansion draft, so they have this byzantine six phase process that is…well, the video does a good job explaining it. But Carpenter is locked into one of the 3 protection slots available to teams during Phase 1. Teams have until today at 2pm to finalize their three protection slots before Phase 2: Expansion Team Foundational Signing Period. (No, seriously, that’s how it’s officially communicated by the PWHL. That is a proper noun.) There’s going to be a lot of turmoil with the league expanding by 50% from 8 teams to 12 teams. In addition to all the roster turnover, the Torrent also fired head coach Steve O’Rourke. These first few years of expansion are real Wild West.

Melinda French Gates Becomes Minority Owner of the Seattle Kraken

Melinda French Gates is becoming a minority owner of the Seattle Kraken, the team’s parent company said Monday, pending approval from the NHL. The size of her stake and the terms were not disclosed. French Gates, 61, the philanthropist and ex-wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is buying into One Roof Sports and Entertainment, the company that owns the Kraken. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan first reported the deal. French Gates is worth about $30 billion, according to Forbes, and the investment is her first ownership stake in a major professional sports team. She joins a group led by majority owner Samantha Holloway that includes minority investors David Wright, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Holloway became majority owner in December 2024 after the death of her father, David Bonderman, the TPG co-founder whose group, Seattle Hockey Partners, won the expansion franchise. “As a longtime Seattle resident, it means a lot to me to have the chance to make this investment in our city and its future,” French Gates said in a statement. “I’m a big believer in the power of sports, and after many years of cheering on Seattle from the sidelines, I’m excited to have an even deeper connection to the Seattle sports community. Seattle is an engine of innovation in so many ways, and Samantha Holloway’s leadership of the Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena reflects that.” Holloway said in the statement, “Melinda is an impressive business leader, philanthropist and importantly, a Seattle sports fan. We share many of the same values, including a deep commitment to Seattle and a belief in building organizations that create lasting impact.” “It’s just time,” French Gates told ESPN. “What you’re seeing is a generation of women coming into their full power. I’ve walked into tough rooms, and being one of the few is very hard. Once we can create enough that we’re one of many, it just gets easier.” Though originally from Dallas, French Gates has lived in the Seattle area for nearly 40 years. She joined Microsoft in 1987, where she met Bill Gates, and worked on multimedia products before leaving in 1996. She co-chaired the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation from 2000 until 2024 and now runs Pivotal, a Kirkland-based organization she founded in 2015 to support women and young people in the United States and abroad. One Roof Sports and Entertainment, created in March, owns the Kraken and controls Climate Pledge Arena, along with the Kraken Community Iceplex, the rebuilt Memorial Stadium, and the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. The group is pursuing an NBA expansion team for Seattle. What this means for the Kraken Nothing changes from a hockey operations standpoint. Jason Botterill will continue to be the GM, they are conducting an audit, they will pursue free agents and make draft picks and attempt trades and it will be business as usual there. The addition brings financial security. Though the NHL has a hard salary cap, Scouting, front office salaries, player development, analytics, facilities, and support staff are not subject to an NHL salary cap and can vary from organization to organization, depending on the owners’ willingness and ability to spend money. A group with French Gates’s money can cover all of that through a rebuild without needing the team to turn a profit, and won’t be forced to cut costs or tear the team down in a bad year. There is also a very expensive NBA bid going on. In March, the NBA’s Board of Governors voted to explore expansion in Seattle and Las Vegas, and Holloway’s group, advised by JPMorgan Chase and Moelis, is the only public Seattle bidder. The NBA hired PJT Partners to evaluate the markets, ownership groups, and arenas and the expansion fees is projected to be somewhere in the $6 to $10 billion range. French Gates is now an owner in One Roof, the group pursuing the NBA team, so her money is already behind that effort. Though we don’t know the extent of her stake, her fortune is several times the projected fee, and because the NBA weighs the strength of each ownership group, her name helps the Seattle bid. Her most visible impact will probably be in the community. The One Roof Foundation has focused on getting more kids into sports, and French Gates has spent her career working on opportunities for women and families. Holloway said, “We’re really aligned on that.” For the Kraken, the deal leaves them with a richer, steadier ownership group. For One Roof, it adds another prominent name as it tries to bring the NBA back to Seattle.

Sun-drunk Seattleite Accidentally Says ‘Hello’ to Stranger

In an embarrassing lapse of character, today a Seattle man who clearly had one too many hours out in the sunshine accidentally said “hello” to a complete stranger. “Out of nowhere, completely unprompted, this guy looks at another guy walking past him and fully said ‘hello’ with a wave and everything—clearly sun-drunk out of his […]

Blue Origin Goes Rogue, Blows Up Another Billionaire’s Launchpad in Seattle

For the second night in a row, the team behind Bezos-founded space rocket company Blue Origin has gone rogue by following up their explosion of one billionaire’s launchpad in Florida with the explosion of another billionaire’s Launchpad in Seattle also known as Mark Zuckerberg’s superyacht. “Wow, I really thought the orcas, Seafair Pirates, or Dave […]

Orcas Getting a Little Sick and Tired of Being Asked to Solve All Your Billionaire Problems

After yet another week of hearing humans ask them to sink billionaire yachts for them, today local orca pods announced they’re getting a little sick and tired of being asked all the time to do humans’ dirty work for them. “It’s always ‘Hey, take Zuck to Davy Jones Locker this, pop Peter Thiel a 100 […]

Millionaires Tax Payers Assured They Only Need to Cut Back on Lattes to Afford Fifth Home

Future Millionaires Tax payers panicked about how they’re ever going to afford their fifth home if they have to one day pay a 9% tax on all annual income over $1 million were assured today that all they have to do is cut back on a few lattes. “I know times are hard, but just […]

Firebirds season ends in 4 games in AHL Pacific Division Final

Just not to be. The Coachella Valley Firebirds faced Colorado in Game 4 last night, and unfortunately, with their season on the line, couldn’t stymie the advance of the Eagles in the AHL Postseason, losing a heartbreaker 3-2 hot off the heels of a 4-1 beatdown. Colorado can be a scary place to play hockey. Let’s Give a Hand To… Oscar Fisker Mølgaard: Even in defeat, for these brief few weeks while Colorado’s Ivan Ivan can’t accrue any more points, he leads the AHL playoffs in points with 11 in 12 games played, and is tied for the playoff lead in goals with 7. This young man found another gear in the playoffs, and went from a solid two-way center to a cornerstone of the Firebirds success. This young man already proved, at least in limited engagements in the NHL that he’s already good enough to hang, but this series proved that he may not need the AHL anymore. A properly motivated Mølgaard seems to be a game changer. J.R. Avon: While an otherwise decent but ultimately pedestrian regular season in the AHL may have allowed Avon to skate by unnoticed by the larger hockey world, this second ever playoff appearance in pro hockey may have turned some heads. JR Avon loves postseason hockey; to the point he became the Firebirds leading scorer and the AHL’s leading playoff scorer alongside Mølgaard. Jagger Firkus: While 3rd on the team in points through these playoffs, Firkus’ postseason was an extension of the kind of player he became throughout the regular season; while very adept at goalscoring, he showed a lot of adept playmaking ability that made up for taking a backseat to the Mølgaard/Avon tour (though at 3rd in goals, his performance was more like a solid opening act). He wasn’t the uber-playmaker however, as that honor went to… Jani Nyman: A player whose howitzer shot only found twine thrice this postseason found that his hands could also be useful in getting assists, as he walks away with the most on the team this postseason with 6. One can hope he manages to start utilizing that skillset a little more, as he was a major part of Coachella’s scoring attack this year, and adding a developing playmaking sense to that already strong resume of goals would be a major value add. What’s next for Coachella Valley? Defensive Adjustment Required The Firebirds scored twice, and then Colorado won this game by scoring the next three unanswered. One was the same kind of bizarre bounce that side of the ice was creating all night, but the other two were just the same kind of breakdown they’d been dealing with all regular season. For Coach Laxdal, that has to change next season. A Full Season of Jake O’Brien? While the Kraken are skittish at trusting their young talent, their AHL team is under no such aspersions; allowing young talent to flourish as much as possible. With center wunderkind Jake O’Brien finishing off a 93 point-in-53 game regular season/23 point in 15 game playoffs with the Brantford Bulldogs where he finished top 3 in the entire league, there’s plenty to like about his game that, if it still needs a little seasoning, he could be a dynamite player for the desert. Wanna fly your flag? A number of players could be asked to join their national teams for the IIHF World Championships, of which Philipp Grubauer and Ryan Lindgren are already competing. There’s a non-zero chance these baby Squids could find themselves making auditions for future roles on Team USA or Canada. While it’s obviously not what we’d want to see, we’re just glad the Firebirds remain so strong, and applaud them on another successful AHL season! We’ll see them next year! LET’S GO FIREBIRDS!

Seattle Mayor Apologizes to Starbucks, Thought It Knew Everyone Here Hated Them Already

After weeks of Starbucks leadership telling every major newspaper in the country how mean Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s been to them by publicly not liking them, today she formally apologized saying she thought they knew everyone here including herself hated them already. “I’m so sorry—I honestly thought you already knew,” said Mayor Wilson. “If I […]

Four Options for the Kraken at Pick 7

The NHL Draft Lottery has come and gone, and luck continues to not be on the Seattle Kraken’s side. The Hockey Gods are clearly prepared to drag this team – and fanbase – through years of developing instead of having nice things. The Kraken were one number away from moving up to the 2nd overall pick. Instead, they moved down to the #7 pick after San Jose saw their number drawn. So, now that we know when the Kraken will pick, it is time to look at who is likely to be available – and who the Kraken should select. Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCAA) At 6’4”, 212 lbs, Verhoeff is built to play in the NHL. He is a large defenseman that would undoubtedly help the Kraken’s blueline, which clearly needs a facelift. With the likelihood of Jamie Oleksiak being on the move this offseason or at some point next year, the Kraken will need someone with size and grit to defend the blue line. After a successful 2024-25 season playing for Victoria Royals of the WHL, where he netted 21 goals, he followed it up with an equally impressive season in the NCAA, scoring 20 points in 39 games. In addition to his play on the ice, it is his leadership potential off the ice that makes him that much more desirable. Having represented Canada as team captain at the U18 Men’s International tournament, it is clear he has the potential to lead a team and be a quarterback of the blueline. He was named to Team Canada’s U20 World Junior Championship roster last year, which as a 17-year-old is typically unheard of. Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert (WHL) At 6’2”, 206 lbs, Rudolph possesses the same build as the majority of NHL defenders. While a good majority of draft eligible defenders need an extra year to put muscle and size on, Rudolph has the size and weight to compete immediately. He is coming off a very successful campaign for the Raiders, having scored 78 points in 68 games, while adding 27 points in 18 playoff games so far. Prince Albert has made it to the WHL finals, providing him with playoff experience – a skill the Kraken clearly lack on their roster. Rudolph is not afraid to use his size – having watched numerous games this year, particularly in the playoffs, he makes it very difficult on opponents by wearing them down after taking numerous body checks. He did serve a 1-game suspension for a cross-check to the head of an opponent in the WHL finals, which he will undoubtedly learn from. It is difficult as a teenager to find that line between assertive and overly aggressive, and that typically comes with time and experience. If he can learn to walk the line and stay out of the penalty box, he could be the bodyguard many teams look for in the NHL. This also would provide the Kraken another player who is not afraid to get dirty in the corners – which they lack outside of Jacob Melanson. Ethan Belchetz, LW, Windsor (WHL) A former 1st-overall pick in the OHL draft, Belchetz has the size that every NHL team wants and needs – 6’5”, 228 lbs – and unafraid to use his size. The power in his shot makes him a threat in many situations – the 34 goals in 57 games this season speak for themselves. He is known for his shot and quick feet in tight situations, which generates more possession in the offensive zone – a category the Kraken desperately need help with. The fact he is a winger is a category the Kraken need to upgrade – after Jared McCann and Kaapo Kakko, there is a clear drop in talent level in the rest of the lineup. Belchetz is committed to Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season, which provides a year of development before any Entry Level Contract kicks in. This also gives another year for Belchetz to continue finding his game, battling against opponents with more size and grit in their game. One point worth noting is that Belchetz’s 2025-26 season was cut short, having suffered a broken left clavicle in March, causing him to miss the remaining 11 games plus the entire post season. Windsor made it to the Conference Finals – needless to say, his presence in the playoffs was sorely missed. It will be interesting to see how he finds his game upon his return to skating after such an intense injury at a young age. Brooks Rogowski, C, Oshawa (WHL) Like Belchetz, Rogowski bears size and height that every NHL player wishes they could have – at 6’6”, 236 lbs, he would instantly tower over many players. This is something that coaches cannot teach – and he is not afraid to use his size to his advantage. His height gives him an extended reach, allowing him to deke and maneuver around defenders easier, while also acting as a defensive forward with an extended reach for poke checks. He is known for his puck handling skills, which is a desirable skill to have as a forward. He is an asset on the penalty kill due to his defensive abilities, and his skill on the powerplay stems from his size and net-front presence – he is great at screening the goalie and unafraid of getting into the danger zone. The Kraken desperately need help with their special teams, so having a player of this stature would be a welcome addition. With the fact the Kraken have depth at the center position, this is a great time to develop a young player with these intangible skills – like Belchetz, he is committed to Michigan State University next year, which will provide the Kraken a year of watching him develop before deciding whether to have him spend a year in the AHL or bring him immediately up to compete with the “big boys”. He is currently known first and foremost for his defensive skills – while the Kraken are lacking in the offensive category, the old saying is “defense wins championships” – this pick would be an investment into the defensive style that coach Lambert loves to play.