Seattle Torrent Training Camp Notebook: November 11th, 2025
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - We’re getting closer and loser to the first ever game in Seattle Torrent history, and the next step in the process leading to that milestone contest is the beginning of the franchises first ever training camp. Excitement was apparent from the jump at the Kraken Community Iceplex, as fans and team officials alike were glued to the different windows peering into rinks one (Starbucks) and two (Smartsheet) as players hit the ice for their first organized sessions. The defenders and goaltenders took the ice on rink two for some early work prior to the main group starting on rink one, as the practice itself lasted just under two hours. Here are some observations and notes from day one of camp, with photos by Nick Lyons.
Steve O’Rourke is vocal and involved
Immediately noticeable on day one of camp was that head coach Steve O’Rourke was assertive and very vocal throughout the entirety of the practice session. It was clear what he wanted his group to accomplish and what was expected from the respective drills that were taking place at the time, ensuring that the Torrent were making their best usage of the ice time at hand. Perhaps it’s a somewhat basic thing to acknowledge and be interested in, but often times players will talk about how much they appreciate a straight forward approach and not having to guess what their coaches want from them on the ice for a game or in practice. With a group that is trying to come together as a single unit prior to opening night in Vancouver, it’s a positive sign that O’Rourke is communicating in this manner and it’s something that we’ll obviously have to keep track of as the season goes along.
An array of drills on day one
As hinted to in the section above relating to O’Rourke’s vocal abilities as coach of the Torrent during the teams first training camp session, it was fascinating to see the different sorts of drills that Seattle ran throughout the practice. It’s a somewhat quick turnaround for players to get into market, integrate with their new club, and start to build the foundation with the group, so it makes sense to see a multitude of drills being run by the Torrent ranging from priorities in the defensive zone to ensuring that the speed as a unit was emphasized. Perhaps the most interesting of the drills run by the Torrent, though, was the one-on-one corner and net front battle drill that the team ran that forced the defenders to use their sticks upside down. It was a unique sight to witness players holding their stick blade in their hand and pointing it in a different way than you’ll normally ever see them use it, but the point of the whole thing was to force those defending the net to play the body and battle it out.
Frames of Seattle Torrent goaltenders spending time together during the first day of training camp at the Kraken Community Iceplex on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025. (Photos by Nick Lyons for Circling Seattle Sports)
Goaltenders waiting on full gear
All three of the Torrent goaltenders on the roster were rocking their new pads in Seattle slate green, but none of them have their new mask yet to match the whole look. Veteran goaltender Corrine Schroeder, who we imagine will be the top netminder on the roster of the three, had a somewhat basic look while rocking her New York Sirens mask from last season to complete the look. Schroeder did confirm to media during post practice availability that her new bucket is in transit, but wasn’t sure when it was going to arrive.
Seattle Torrent goaltender Corinne Schroeder during the first day of training camp at the Kraken Community Iceplex on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025. (Photos by Nick Lyons for Circling Seattle Sports)
Rookie goaltender Hannah Murphy out of Colgate University rocked our favorite look of the three, a heavy slate green look with a more vintage looking aged cream color to accentuate the whole thing. Like it has been for the Kraken in their brief NHL existence, it will be fun to watch the different goaltender setups that we get for Torrent netminders as their franchise develops. At least personally, Murphy is our early favorite of the three but that can always change depending on what the masks look like for the trio when they come in.
Seattle Torrent rookie goaltender Hannah Murphy during the first day of training camp at the Kraken Community Iceplex on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025. (Photos by Nick Lyons for Circling Seattle Sports)
Veteran netminder Carly “CJ” Jackson debuted a minimalist look with their pads, and was rocking a plain white bucket for a helmet similar to Hannah Murphy. We got an idea of what CJ was going to rock pads wise when they debuted their new profile picture on social media, which is art by a creative named Cor on twitter, that features an illustrated image of Jackson in their full gear. We have to imagine like Schroeder that her mask and Murphy’s are both in transit.
Seattle Torrent goaltender Carly “CJ” Jackson during the first day of training camp at the Kraken Community Iceplex on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025. (Photos by Nick Lyons for Circling Seattle Sports)
Tod Leiweke present
It was somewhat interesting to see Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke, wearing a Torrent quarter zip, watching the majority of the practice rink side. It’ll spark some questions certainly, as it does appear that the group who owns the Kraken have expressed their own interest in having ownership stake in the Torrent if the Walter Group ultimately decide to go away from the sole ownership that the PWHL teams currently operate under. Regardless of interest in owning the team or not, it’s nice to see someone like Leiweke who has played a major role in several professional sports teams (Minnesota Wild, Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders, Tampa Bay Lightning, plus the National Football League) around to show support for a new team that’s starting up. If there’s news on a change in ownership for the Torrent though, come back to this.
What’s next?
Training camp will continue for the Seattle Torrent tomorrow, Wednesday, November 12th following Seattle Kraken practice at the Kraken Community Iceplex. Day two of training camp will last from 12PM-1:30PM PST as a full team practice on rink two (Smartsheet) at KCI, as the Torrent will continue setting the foundation ahead of their inaugural season in the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Day one saw a myriad of drills and plenty of conditioning, we imagine that will be the theme for these first few days of camp as the Torrent work on settling into their system under head coach Steve O’Rourke and building chemistry. The Torrent are scheduled to have six more practices prior to opening night puck drop on November 21st in Vancouver against the Goldeneyes.
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Check out our previous Seattle Torrent articles here.
Check out our previous articles with writing by Charles Hamaker here.
Cover photo and photos in this article by Nick Lyons.
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