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.

Subscribe to get 💪🏾 Black Rosie Media 💪🏾 updates in your inbox!
https://www.blackrosiemedia.com/

JOIN OUR SLACK COMMUNITY:
https://buff.ly/3ySxxa4

💪🏾 Black Rosie Media 💪🏾
...on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLKRosieMedia
...on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackRosieMedia
...on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackrosiem...

-------------------------------SOCIAL--------------------------------
🐦Twitter: @Founding4Pod & @BlackRosieMedia
📲: Instagram: @BlackRosieMedia
👥Facebook: @BLKRosieMedia
💬Website: BlackRosieMedia.com
Slack Channel: https://buff.ly/3ySxxa4

-----------------------My GEAR - Affiliate Links----------------
🎙️Rode NT-USB Microphone: https://amzn.to/3u1jsir
📷 Sony ZV E-10: https://amzn.to/3FkZwgr
💡 Elgato LED light: https://amzn.to/3hKe0gc