By Irfan Shariff
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
The Seattle Torrent welcomed the Vancouver Goldeneyes to Climate Pledge Arena for its first AANHPI Heritage Celebration Game on Saturday, April 18. Despite a 6-5 Torrent loss in overtime, the game drew over 12,000 fans who were able to experience musical performances, learn more about local AAPI organizations, and celebrate the diversity of Seattle’s AAPI communities.
Saturday’s game came after a previous loss to Vancouver on April 14, which kicked Seattle out of the running for the 2026 PWHL Walter Cup Playoffs. The match was part of the Torrent’s Unity Game series. Other teams in the Professional Women’s Hockey League have hosted their own Unity Games, but not all teams had an AAPI event.
Just before the Torrent descended upon the ice, the promo sequence on the jumbotron ended with: “Hockey is for everyone. Let’s keep it that way.”
Photo by Irfan Shariff
The Torrent invited Laura Clise, founder of Intentionalist, to take part in the ceremonial puck drop. Clise, who is Korean American, was recognized for her leadership in developing positive economic outcomes for diverse communities and small businesses. Intentionalist is a platform that connects patrons with the businesses they choose to support.
Laura Clise (Credit: PWHL)
Credit: PWHL
Clise, a huge fan of the Torrent, says they have been “incredibly thoughtful about how they’re engaging with diverse communities throughout their inaugural season.”
Over the last few years, she has partnered with Seattle professional sports teams to stimulate over $1 million dollars of spending at small businesses in the area.
“The Torrent are a part of the continued collaboration to encourage and incentivize fans to explore and support diverse local businesses,” she said.
Clise believes it is our “collective responsibility” to support our local AAPI-owned businesses. She shared a box with several AAPI small business owners, including the proprietors of ChuMinh Tofu & Vegan Deli, ConceptShell Art & Design Studio, Spice Waala, and also artist Kate Saylor, who was featured during the second intermission.
The Canadian and U.S. National Anthems were performed by Yanna Lanae, who is a Greater Seattle Business Association scholar and has been recognized as an up-and-coming talent in the local AAPI community. Musicians from Totem Star performed during the first intermission, led by Asian Hall of Fame musician Daniel Paak. Totem Star is a collective of recording artists that help mentor youths 14-25.
The Asian Counseling and Referral Services, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, the Wing Luke Museum, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority, and the Mak Fai Kung Fu Dragon and Lion Dance Association were all spotlighted on the jumbotron and had activation booths spread throughout the arena.
Ngoc Nguyen, who has been performing with lion dancing for the last 10 years, was at Mak Fai’s booth. She believes the event raised awareness outside the AAPI community.
Ngoc Nguyen (Photo by Irfan Shariff)
Mak Fai just completed their busiest season of the year, post-Lunar New Year, with about 300 performances so far this year. Having performed in the past with the Sounders and Kraken, this is “another step into Seattle sports,” Nguyen said. “People don’t realize lion dancing is a sport.”
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