Outdoor hockey. Mountain air. Pride on the pond.
Reserve your team’s spot with a $100 refundable* deposit.
No team? No problem. Join the free agent pool (it's free).
Player on a team? Hang tight — register for your team after 11/16.
Three days of hockey, community, and winter in the Methow Valley.
Arrive
Thursday, 2/11
Games
Friday, 2/12 - Sunday, 2/14
Depart
Monday, 2/15 (US holiday)
Pride Hockey, Reimagined Outdoors
Welcome to Frozen Pride Classic 2027, where 10 teams gather in wintry Winthrop, Washington, for a weekend of outdoor hockey, community, and mountain-town magic.
This is hockey without the pressure. No standings. No championship. No chasing a trophy. Just friendly competition, meaningful connection, and the rare opportunity to play beneath the open sky at one of North America’s most memorable outdoor rinks.
Come for the hockey. Stay for the community. Leave with stories worth warming up to.
Here's what you're getting into
We’re on a mission to make the Frozen Pride Classic 2027 the most unforgettable weekend in hockey—and you’re at the heart of it!
- 10 total teams – Team-style for maximum fun & competition!
- 2 divisions – A level of play for every skill level.
- 4 games guaranteed – No more, no less. Every shift counts!
- 75-minute game times – More ice time, more action!
- Commemorative team photo – A keepsake to remember your squad and this epic weekend!
- Puck Around Town – Hit the town between games! Explore Winthrop's charming shops, restaurants, and scenery with your fellow FPC players.
- Public Skate – On Friday, don your best for the public skate under the open sky!
- Fun awards – During your final games, we'll hand out fun awards to players you nominated!
You spoke, we listened
Your SPHA. Your voice. We’re listening to your feedback.
Based on feedback from earlier this year, here are some key takeaways we heard in your feedback and changes we’re incorporating for this year’s Frozen Pride Classic 2027.
- Longer ice times — You told us 60-minute games felt too short. For 2027, we’re hosting fewer teams so every game runs a full 75 minutes. Yes, this means a modest increase in registration dues — but it also means every player gets an additional hour of ice time over the weekend. More ice time, more action, more of what you came for — outdoor hockey and mountain air!
- Easier registration — You told us the registration process was stressful. For 2027, we’re moving to a different registration platform that makes signing up your team simpler, faster, and less frustrating — so you can spend less time fighting systems and more time getting your team ready to play.
- Better matchups — You told us team balance matters. For 2027, we’re going deeper on player information during registration — gathering more meaningful data about individual skills and play style — so we can build fairer, more competitive matchups from the start.
- Puck Around Town — You wanted more ways to connect off the ice — and to explore and support local LGBTQIA+ friendly businesses. So we’re making it happen. Puck Around Town takes the party beyond the rink, giving players and guests a chance to explore Winthrop together during our break on Saturday afternoon.
- Everyone Plays Fund — We believe everyone deserves a spot on the ice. That’s why we’re rolling out the improved Everyone Plays Fund (formerly Sponsor a Player) — a way for parents, friends, and supporters to support a player or team. Every contribution helps make sure cost is never the reason someone misses out. Contribute to the Everyone Plays Fund »
- Tournament merch — We’re continuing to expand our FPC merch offerings so you can rep the weekend all year long.
- Tournament guide — The PDF tournament guide has been a hit this year, so it’s back for 2027. Everything you need to know about the weekend — delivered straight to your device before the puck drops.
- More to come — With 6+ months to go, we’re dreaming up new ways to make your weekend even more memorable. Stay tuned.
The above feedback was the most common theme among the feedback received. If you have other great ideas, please connect with us by emailing Michelle Mendez at MMendez@SeattlePrideHockey.org.
Registration & dates
To register a team, submit a $100 refundable deposit.
This deposit is fully refundable if your team is not selected for the tournament, or if you withdraw your team prior to acceptance. Upon acceptance to the tournament, your team’s deposit becomes non-refundable and non-transferable, and the remaining balance ($3,350) is due within 45 calendar days. If your team is not admitted, you will receive your deposit back.
Teams will be accepted based on a number of factors at the discretion of Seattle Pride Hockey Association with the intent of forming two, equally skilled divisions.
Don’t have enough players and need one or two to fill gaps? Don’t worry! We will have a pool of free agents to pull from throughout the formation process.
Monday, August 31, 2026 @ 12:00 AM PT: Team deposits + free agent registration will open.
Saturday, October 31, 2026 @ 11:59 PM PT: Team registration and deposits will conclude. Free agent registration remains open until tournament weekend.
Monday, November 16, 2026: Seattle Pride Hockey Association will announce teams by end of day. At this time, for teams accepted to the tournament, deposits become non-refundable, and the remaining team balance is due within 60 days (two months). If your team is not admitted, your deposit will be refunded at this time.
Friday, January 15, 2027: All players must be registered with their team so that SPHA has the ability to build match ups.
Friday, January 15, 2027: The goal is to publish the full tournament schedule no later than this date. We can only accomplish this if all teams have their players properly registered.
Friday, January 15, 2027: All teams should be paid in full.
Teams & team players
We will host 10 teams spread across two divisions.
If more than 10 teams register, we must select the 10 teams that we believe will be most evenly matched within the three divisions.
All teams are guaranteed a total of four (4) games and 75-minute ice slots.
Once we admit teams on/around November 16, this is when team players would begin to register for their team and you can backfill with free agents.
Free agents
If you don’t have a team, don’t fret!
You may register as a free agent at no cost. While there are no guarantees of placement on a team, should there become an opening on one, you may be called upon to backfill that vacancy.
Once accepted to a team, you will need to submit payment of the applicable player dues to the team captain to finalize your spot. This could range anywhere from approximately $200 – depending upon the size of the overall team roster (since team dues are split across the rostered players).
Please plan accordingly – and don’t forget to factor in transportation/gas, lodging, entertainment/meals, etc. throughout the weekend.
And if you are in the free agency pool and can no longer play, please let us know. Don’t wait to inform us when you’re called upon to backfill a vacancy.
Cost
$3,350 team registration dues, after the team deposit.
If you roster 16 players (15 + 1) – split evenly – your total cost per player will be ~$215.
Deposits paid for teams are fully refundable if the team is not accepted into the tournament, or if you withdraw the team prior to admittance. Upon acceptance to the tournament, the remaining team dues are due in full within 60 calendar days, paid in full by January 15, 2027. You may assign dues amounts to players to submit payment towards, or you can collect from players and pay in full on their behalf.
Team captains will have the ability to either pay their team dues in one lump sum and collect payments directly from players; or they can ask players to remit payment directly to SPHA.
Schedule
- Arrive
- Thursday, February 11, 2027 by end of day
- Game times
- Friday games are from 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM
- Saturday games are from 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday games are from 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- All games will be 75-minutes in length.
- All teams will play four (4) games guaranteed.
- One public skate each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons
- Watch the action live & up close
There’s a great hang out spot rink side to watch and support your fellow teams during all games. Bring the UGG’s, the propane campfire pits, the drinks and socialize at the rink.
Location
Home sweet home at Winthrop Rink
Since the early 1900s, locals have ice skated on the frozen lakes and rivers of the Methow Valley in central Washington State. But in some winters, the temperatures weren’t cold enough for the water to safely freeze for skating. So, in 1999, community members founded a nonprofit and partnered with the Town of Winthrop to build an NHL-sized, refrigerated outdoor ice rink.
Winthrop Rink opened its doors in 2007 and has grown to provide 135 days of ice skating in the fall and winter seasons, and 120 days of dryland arena sports in the spring and summer.
Winthrop Rink is enjoyed by around 7,000 youth and 9,000 adults every year, and rink-related tourism generates over $1.3 million annually to the local economy.
Trip Planning
Winthrop Rink is a scenic five-hour drive from Seattle.
The town of Winthrop has an Old West theme, with a main street boardwalk featuring restaurants and shops. The Winthrop Rink is a ten-minute walk from the center of town.
Here are some helpful tips for teams traveling from outside of Washington:
- Fly into either Spokane International Airport or Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to start your trip.
- Seattle is approximately a 5 hour drive from Winthrop, assuming clear roads.
- Spokane is approximately 3 1/2 hours from Winthrop, again, assuming clear roads.
- Rent vehicles for the trip over the mountains; all-wheel drive is recommended during February.
Book lodging:
- A handful of hotels are located less than a 10-minute walk from the rink: Methow River Lodge & Cabins (rinkside), Chewuch Inn, Hotel Rio Vista, Mt. Gardner Inn.
- In addition to Airbnb and VRBO, Methow Reservations is a local site for vacation rental bookings with lower fees.
Visit WinthropWashington.com for more information.
Whether you’re traveling from out of state or just driving over from Seattle, all attendees are encouraged to use WSDOT’s Mountain Passes & Winter Travel page to stay up-to-date on road conditions.
Weather
Expect wintery weather, but be ready for anything!
The average high temperature in February is 39° F, with an average low of 18° F. It snows an average of 8 inches in February.
Games are played snow, rain or shine!
Pack appropriately for the elements with warm clothes, spare layers, and heavy jackets. Don’t forget the hand warmers to cheer on your friends rinkside and of course the boot dryers!
We aim to keep things balanced and fun.
To keep the games competitive and enjoyable for everyone, we’re maintaining two gameplay enhancements designed to promote fairness and balanced matchups. These adjustments aim to ensure close scores and prevent runaway games, fostering a fun and inclusive experience for all players.
Marie-Philip Poulin Rule: To keep the spirit of fairness and fun alive, no player may score more than three (3) goals in a single game. If a player nets a fourth (4th) goal, it will be disallowed, and play will resume with a faceoff in the offending team’s defensive zone, similar to an icing call. No penalties will be assessed. This rule is designed to prevent dominant players from overshadowing the game, encouraging a more balanced team effort and giving everyone a chance to shine.
Blue Line Icing: For smoother gameplay and fewer interruptions, icing will only be called if the puck is shot from inside a team’s defending zone (behind their blue line) and crosses the opposing team’s far-red line. This adjustment, especially helpful for beginner-level games, keeps the gameplay flowing, reduces repetitive stoppages, and ensures more time is spent playing rather than constantly resetting the puck.
No standings, no championships: We will keep score as usual (we know your stats are important to you); however, there are no standings, no championships, no first place teams. Everyone is a winner.
Additional Notes
- In the spirit of keeping Winthrop Rink a family and kid-friendly environment, alcohol/beer are not permitted inside Winthrop Rink or locker rooms. Please reserve consumption for nearby bars/saloon or places of lodging.
- Teams must have one (1) primary jersey color + one (1) secondary/backup jersey color to adhere to away & home requirements and avoid potential jersey conflicts with match up opponents.
- If your team requires jerseys, please consider contacting JerzeysFX Custom Sports Apparel.
- Teams should have a minimum of 11 players (10 skaters + 1 goaltender) but should not have more than 16 (15 skaters + 1 goaltender). Additional registration costs may be added to teams rostered with more than 16 total players.
- All players must have face protection – regardless of division. This includes a half-shield/visor, hybrid bubble cage, or full face cage. Given the lower level of play, players may not play without face protection.
Protect yourself from the unexpected
USA Hockey membership
All players in Frozen Pride Classic 2027 are required to have an active USA Hockey membership for the 2026-27 season. This membership provides essential insurance coverage for players, including liability and secondary medical coverage in case of injury during tournament play. If you are not already a USA Hockey member, you can register at usahockey.com.
Optional registration insurance
We understand that life happens, and unexpected events like injury, illness, or family emergencies can disrupt your plans. That’s why we offer optional registration insurance, allowing you to protect your registration fees under qualifying circumstances. If an unforeseen event prevents you from playing, this insurance helps safeguard and prevents forfeiture of your registration fees. Full details, including cost, coverage and how to opt in, will be provided during registration. Or, you can visit https://landing.verticalinsure.com/leagueapps.
Contact
Have questions? We’re here to help! Whether you’re registering, need tournament details, or can’t make it as a player, we’ve got your back!
Call or text us: (206) 627-0005
Email us: Frozen@SeattlePrideHockey.org
Tournament weekend: Find a staff member around the rink all weekend long
Events
Thursday: Weekend Toast @ Three Fingered Jacks
Thursday, 2/11 – 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Gather at Three Fingered Jacks, grab your favorite drink, and at ~9:00 PM we’ll hit the streets with Methow Pride to cheers & toast to the start of a fantastic weekend!
Friday: Public Skate @ Winthrop Rink
Friday, 2/12 – 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Don your best and skate with Seattle Pride Hockey Association, Methow Pride, and members of the Methow Valley under the open sky (and hopefully snow!).
Saturday: Puck Around Town
Saturday, 2/13 – 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Lace up your boots and hit the town! Puck Around Town is your chance to explore Winthrop’s best bars and local spots, meet your fellow players and their guests, and keep the good times rolling between games. No agenda, no itinerary — just good people, great drinks, and the best little Western town in Washington.
Volunteers Make The Weekend Happen
Frozen Pride Classic comes to life through the energy, care, and enthusiasm of our volunteers. Whether you’re a hockey fan, a community supporter, or simply looking for a meaningful way to get involved, we’d love to have you on the team.
As a volunteer, you’ll:
👋 Connect with players and members of the local and national hockey community.
🙌 Help create a welcoming, organized, and memorable tournament experience.
From welcoming players to supporting tournament operations, every role helps make the weekend possible. Explore the opportunities below and join the crew bringing Frozen Pride Classic 2027 to life.
Can't play? Support in other ways
Seattle Pride Hockey Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to grow the sport of ice hockey through diversity and inclusion. We believe that hockey is for everyone, and we work hard to create programs that bring our communities together to celebrate diversity.
Everyone Plays Fund
At Seattle Pride Hockey Association, we believe hockey should be accessible to everyone. Our Everyone Plays Fund allows community members, friends, and supporters to contribute toward a player’s or team’s registration costs.
* team deposits are refundable if cancelled prior to team selection, or if the team is not selected to participate in this year's tournament. Once a team is selected for the tournament, the deposit becomes immediately nonrefundable.
