Welcome back to 206 Sports Collective! In this episode, host Erica L. Ayala is joined by Ava Wood, the creator behind 365 Hockey Girl, to break down all things Seattle Torrent and the latest in women’s hockey. They kick things off with their reactions to Hockey Canada’s newly announced women’s Olympic roster, including the big news that Seattle Torrent’s own Julia Gosling made the cut.

The conversation dives into Team Canada’s decision to rely on veteran talent, the snubs of emerging stars like Chloe Primarano and Danielle Serdachny, and how these choices compare to the youth movement happening with Team USA.

The pair also analyzes the Torrent’s recent matchups, including a tough loss against Boston, the challenge of generating shots on goal, and what the team needs to clean up before the Olympic break.

Plus, there’s excitement around upcoming games—including a special matchup at Madison Square Garden—and the celebration of Black History Night with Ava's thoughts on the significance behind the new logo.

Finally, Erica L. Ayala and Ava Wood update their PWHL power rankings, share must-watch matchups, and give listeners the latest on what to expect from the collective—both on and off the ice—as they count down to the Milano Cortina Olympics.

If you’re a Torrent fan or following the pulse of women’s hockey, this episode is packed with insights, plenty of hot takes, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss!

00:00 "Seattle's Hockey Expansion Spotlight"

06:05 "Hockey Canada's New Era"

07:05 Hockey Canada Roster Controversy

11:37 "Hockey Balance and Experience"

13:21 USA vs. Canada: Youth Gap

16:34 "Thrilling Game with Wild Swings"

23:12 Torrent's Challenges and Leadership Shift

24:38 "Upcoming Games and Power Rankings"

28:46 "Significance of Cultural Celebration Nights"

30:58 Seattle Torrent's January Game Highlights

36:11 "Vancouver, Trusting the Process"

39:15 "Montreal's Depth Scoring Doubts"

Erica L Ayala
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social

Ava Wood
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/avapwhl.bsky.social

#podcast #PWHL #206

Welcome back to the 206 Sports Collective! In this episode, host Erica L. Ayala sits down with Seattle Torrent center Mikyla Grant-Mentis—also known as MGM or Buckey—for a lively and insightful conversation about her journey in professional women’s hockey.

From her recent move from Montreal to Seattle to the chemistry she’s building with her current linemates, MGM shares what keeps her passion for the game alive. She talks about the thrill of playing against friends, embracing the city’s growing hockey fanbase, and the ever-evolving tunnel fashion—thanks to her mom's behind-the-scenes style expertise.

Erica and Buckey dive into meaningful topics like cultural heritage, Black excellence in hockey, and what it means to represent both Indigenous and Black communities in a sport that’s rapidly diversifying. Listeners will also get an inside look at team dynamics, friendly cross-border rivalries headed into the Olympics, and the unique stories behind Grant-Mentis’s many nicknames.

Whether you’re a die-hard Seattle Torrent supporter or just curious about the faces and personalities shaping the future of women’s hockey, this episode is packed with laughs, honesty, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss.

00:00 "Embracing Change and Connections"
06:19 "Seattle Torrent Line Dynamics"
07:05 Team Chemistry Sparks Recent Success
13:02 "Bucky: A Childhood Nickname"
16:51 Discovering Family Roots
18:47 "Black Hockey Player's Unique Journey"
22:03 Relentless, Gritty Teamwork Wins
24:03 Friendly Wagers Among Teammates

Erica L Ayala
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.b...

Ava Wood
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/avapwhl.bsky...

#podcast #PWHL #206

Minnesota Frost surge to the top of the power rankings with Kendall Coyne Schofield’s scoring explosion.

Can Toronto Scepters' statement win at the Bell Centre spark a rivalry with Boston, or will Ottawa Charge’s overtime heroics vault them into contender status?

Erica L. Ayala and Ava Wood debate the strengths and weaknesses of each club, highlighting hidden gems like Kelly Pannek and Taylor Heise while raising concerns about Montreal’s lack of secondary scoring.

With the 2026 Olympics approaching, listeners get insider perspectives on how heated rivalries and recruiting efforts can expand women’s hockey fandom.

Stay tuned for bold predictions, power ranking shakeups, and the latest buzz around Seattle Torrent’s upcoming matchups.

00:00 "Heated Rivalries in Women's Hockey"
05:36 "Weekly Power Rankings Debate"
09:24 "Toronto Tops My Rankings"
11:23 "Power, Finals, and Coaching Comparisons"
14:20 "Rebuilding with Intentional Strategy"
19:35 Star Dependence Hurts Teams
21:41 "Terra Lova's Impact and Potential"
24:39 "Doing the Best You Can"
28:04 "Black Rosie Media Empowerment"

Erica L Ayala
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social

Ava Wood
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/avapwhl.bsky.social

#podcast #PWHL #206
-------------------------------- ABOUT BLACK ROSIE MEDIA -----------------------------------
Black Rosie Media is a community for Black women and melanated creators in sports media.

We are committed to showing up as advocates for the visibility of Black women and creators of color through original content, events, partnerships, and more. Our goal is to create a space online where Black women and other BIPOC creators are celebrated, appreciated, and equitably compensated for their work.

Not only is Black Rosie Media a community for Black women and melanated creators, but it's also a standalone media conglomerate giving these creators a platform for their work. We are a space for news, game coverage, and creative sports content.

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Seattle Torrent’s playoff hopes hinge on finding their team identity as they navigate the PWHL's growing pains. With Hannah Murphy’s standout goaltending keeping Seattle in contention, can the Torrent’s offense and transition game catch up before it’s too late?

Erica L. Ayala and Ava Wood break down the Torrent’s strengths—highlighting Murphy’s unexpected heroics in net—and debate critical areas for improvement, including puck management, five-on-five play, and forging a winning mentality in tight games.

The episode tackles hot topics like Corrine Schroeder’s performance, special teams' effectiveness, and how the introduction of hitting is sparking a trend of head injuries across the league.

Plus, exclusive insight on Seattle's upcoming schedule, power rankings, and the moments that could define their season. Can the Torrent close the gap and become genuine contenders in the PWHL?

00:00 "Seattle Torrent: Trends and Outlook"
05:35 Hockey Transition and Puck Management
06:27 "Elevate Tenacity and Puck Control"
09:36 "Torrent's Special Teams Success"
14:58 Seattle's Goalie Dilemma Persisting
16:15 "Team's Performance Trend Analysis"
19:19 Addressing Head Injuries in Hockey
22:46 Ongoing Debate and Agreement

Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social

Ava Wood
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/avapwhl.bsky.social

#podcast #PWHL #206
-------------------------------- ABOUT BLACK ROSIE MEDIA -----------------------------------
Black Rosie Media is a community for Black women and melanated creators in sports media.

We are committed to showing up as advocates for the visibility of Black women and creators of color through original content, events, partnerships, and more. Our goal is to create a space online where Black women and other BIPOC creators are celebrated, appreciated, and equitably compensated for their work.

Not only is Black Rosie Media a community for Black women and melanated creators, but it's also a standalone media conglomerate giving these creators a platform for their work. We are a space for news, game coverage, and creative sports content.

Subscribe to get 💪🏾 Black Rosie Media 💪🏾 updates in your inbox!
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JOIN OUR SLACK COMMUNITY:
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💪🏾 Black Rosie Media 💪🏾
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...on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackrosiem...

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The Seattle Torrent scored a franchise-high four goals to tally their second win of the season. Ava Wood joins Erica L. Ayala to discuss the win. Plus, with games against Boston and Montreal upcoming, will we see rookie Hannah Murphy get a third start, or will Corrine Schroeder see some action?

Finally, Ava & Erica discuss the Rivalry Series and give their weekly PWHL Rankings!

Follow us on Bluesky social!
Erica L Ayala
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social

Ava Wood
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/avapwhl.bsky.social

#podcast #PWHL #206
-------------------------------- ABOUT BLACK ROSIE MEDIA -----------------------------------
Black Rosie Media is a community for Black women and melanated creators in sports media.

We are committed to showing up as advocates for the visibility of Black women and creators of color through original content, events, partnerships, and more. Our goal is to create an online space where Black women and other BIPOC creators are celebrated, appreciated, and equitably compensated for their work.

Not only is Black Rosie Media a community for Black women and melanated creators, but it's also a standalone media conglomerate giving these creators a platform for their work. We are a space for news, game coverage, and creative sports content.

Subscribe to get 💪🏾 Black Rosie Media 💪🏾 updates in your inbox!
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Ava Wood and Erica L. Ayala are back to recap the Seattle Torrent home opener at Climate Pledge Arena. Despite the 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Frost, the vibes are still HIGH!

Listen to Ava & Erica recap the home opener experience, debate fights in women's hockey, and make predictions ahead of the Torrent's next game Wednesday night.

0:00 - Intro
28:30 - Week 2 Power Rankings

The Alison Lukan Experience comes to the 206 Sports Collective.

Seattle Kraken and new PWHL on-air analyst Alison Likan joins the show to discuss the Seattle Kraken's propensity for overtime, how the young stars like Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, and Berkly Catton are developing under Lane Lambert.

Alison also gets vulnerable about what she's learned about herself since joining the Kraken, and why, even though she's nervous about her new role, she's feeling the fear and doing it anyway.

Likan leaves us with her best advice to women embarking on new opportunities in their personal and professional lives.

Alison is a friend and strong ally for us here at Black Rosie Media. We are eternally grateful for her ongoing support and can't wait to root her on his season and always!

CHAPTERS
00:00 - Seattle Kraken Update and Insights
06:03 Center vs. Wing Responsibilities
09:58 Women Leading in Seattle Hockey
11:41 Seizing Opportunities, Opening Doors
16:46 Seattle Kraken & Women's Hockey
17:23 Advancing Women's Hockey Coverage
22:53 Navigating Risk and Self-Care
25:12 Excited for New Women's Hockey Role
27:28 Honoring Your Amazing Success

-------------------------------- ABOUT BLACK ROSIE MEDIA -----------------------------------
Black Rosie Media is a community for Black women and melanated creators in sports media.

We are committed to showing up as advocates for the visibility of Black women and creators of color through original content, events, partnerships, and more. Our goal is to create a space online where Black women and other BIPOC creators are celebrated, appreciated, and equitably compensated for their work.

Not only is Black Rosie Media a community for Black women and melanated creators, but it's also a standalone media conglomerate giving these creators a platform for their work. We are a space for news, game coverage, and creative sports content.

Subscribe to get 💪🏾 Black Rosie Media 💪🏾 updates in your inbox!
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Despite a two-goal night from Julia Gosling, the Torrent made one too many mistakes and fell to Vancouver in overtime.

Ava Wood (⁨@365HockeyGirl⁩) joins Black Rosie Media founder Erica L. Ayala to recap the first-ever Seattle Torrent game against the Vancouver Goldeneyes. Ava traveled to Vancouver with 50+ fans to witness the first games of the two PWHL expansion teams. She discusses the crowd's excitement at Pacific Coliseum and the on-ice action in overtime.

We're excited to introduce the 206 Sports Collective, a new venture at Black Rosie Media!

This platform will highlight black excellence and female athletes, with a special focus on Seattle and the greater Pacific Northwest. The 206 Sports Collective will provide insightful cultural commentary on sports.

0:00 - Intro
1:10 - Riding the Bus to Vancouver

------------------------------ ABOUT BLACK ROSIE MEDIA -----------------------------------
Black Rosie Media is a community for Black women and melanated creators in sports media.

We are committed to showing up as advocates for the visibility of Black women and creators of color through original content, events, partnerships, and more. Our goal is to create a space online where Black women and other BIPOC creators are celebrated, appreciated, and equitably compensated for their work.

Not only is Black Rosie Media a community for Black women and melanated creators, but it's also a standalone media conglomerate giving these creators a platform for their work. We are a space for news, game coverage, and creative sports content.

Subscribe to get 💪🏾 Black Rosie Media 💪🏾 updates in your inbox!
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