Meghan Turner, general manager of the Seattle Torrent, took the stage at a recent women’s sports summit in New York, where she outlined the unique pressures and opportunities of running an expansion franchise during an Olympic year.
Turner emphasized that the team’s growth has been fueled by a passionate, diverse fan base that rallied around the franchise even before its official launch, turning early enthusiasm into record‑breaking attendance figures.
Culture First on and off the Ice
The Torrent’s ‘Culture first’ philosophy permeates the locker room and extends to community outreach, creating an environment where athletes can thrive while fans feel a genuine sense of belonging.
The franchise led the league in average attendance, drawing nearly 13,000 supporters per game and even selling out Madison Square Garden — a U.S. record for women’s hockey that underscored the market’s appetite for the sport.
Olympic participation added a layer of exposure that few leagues experience; Torrent players who earned gold medals were celebrated on the scoreboard, linking personal triumphs to the team’s narrative.
Turner acknowledged the logistical challenges of managing roster turnover and injuries during the Games, but she said the experience reinforced the league’s commitment to professional standards and athlete development.
Beyond the ice, the Torrent is positioning itself as a catalyst for broader growth, inviting families and adult fans into the sport and leveraging partnerships with media outlets such as ESPN to amplify its reach.