Tournament GUESTS & STAFF
To produce the nations largest and most inclusive hockey tournament takes a tremendous amount of work. In addition to our amazing sponsors & supporters, Seattle Pride Hockey Association would like to thank the individual contributions of those who help curate such an amazing tournament experience and all the behind-the-scenes work that’s required to pull this whole thing off.
We can’t thank you enough.
Steven Thompson, President
Budgeting, registration, scheduling, team formation, jersey procurement, game operations and logistics.
Joey Gale, Vice President
Sales, marketing, branding, social media, jersey design, and sponsorships.
Joel Hennig, Treasurer
Scholarship committee, budget review, finances & taxes.
Steven Laing, Secretary
Multimedia, photography & videography shoots, editing, final development.
Gavin Parker, Director, Game Operations
Gavin oversees overall tournament production, including volunteer support, hockey/team operations.
Brett Leonard, Director, Event Experience
Brett will be overseeing all participant & hotel hospitality operations, including the Icebreaker Welcome Reception and tournament + hotel check-in experiences.
Randy Cote, Director, Participant Experience
Randy assists in a variety of forms, most notably with producing run of show schedules & scripts.
Alexis Haire, Director, Digital
Alexis helps oversee our website development & testing, as well as seamless tournament email communications.
Gilbert Villalpando, Manager, Diversity & Inclusion
Gilbert ensures all communications and tournament production are through an equitable DEI lense.
Wendy Thomas
Wendy, although a goalie in the tournament, helps with scorekeeping and producing our day-to-day operations schedule.
Michelle Mendez, Manager, Graphic Design & Marketing
Michelle, while leading our Events & Programs division, helps oversee graphic design and other tasks related to tournament production.
Colden Cullen, Manager, Jersey Design & Production
A huge THANK YOU to Colden Cullen for once again helping design and produce the Alaska Airlines: All Stars of Pride jerseys and our regular jerseys.
Jessica Bennett, Tournament Assistant
Jessica joins us in her second year, and will oversee duties supporting the overall operations of the tournament.
Daylen Mitansky, Pro Player Coordinator
Daylen joins us for his second year and is responsible for the pro player coordination and schedules throughout the weekend.
Darin Edwards, Volunteer
Darin is joining us for his third year and helps in a variety of roles throughout the production leading up to the tournament and during the tournament weekend.
HONORARY COACHES
Erin Ambrose, courtesy of 
Erin Ambrose (born April 30, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for PWHL Montreal of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and member of the Canada women’s national ice hockey team. She made her debut with the Canada women’s national ice hockey team at the 2014 4 Nations Cup. On September 18, 2023, Ambrose was drafted in the first round, sixth overall, by PWHL Montreal in the 2023 PWHL Draft.
Élizabeth Giguère, courtesy of
Élizabeth Giguère (born May 8, 1997) is a Canadian ice hockey player for PWHL New York of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She played college ice hockey with the Clarkson Golden Knights and the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, where she was a two-time First Team CCM/AHCA All-American and the winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2020. She previously played for the Boston Pride of the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF).
PRO PLAYERS
Joshua Thomas Brown (born July 2, 1990) is an American former professional ice hockey right winger. He is the current TV analyst for the Seattle Kraken at Root Sports Northwest. On June 21, 2021, Brown joined Root Sports Northwest as a color commentator for the Seattle Kraken. On February 17, 2022, Brown and Everett Fitzhugh called the Kraken’s game against the Winnipeg Jets. The pairing was the first all-Black TV broadcast in NHL history.
Jessica Platt (born May 8, 1989) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player with the PWHPA and an advocate for transgender rights. She played for the Toronto Furies in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) and was the first transgender woman to play in the now defunct CWHL.
Andrew has long been a supporter of social change initiatives to help the environment, and he is also a big supporter of promoting equality and inclusion in the sports.
It comes as no surprise then that Ference became involved in a Kickstarter campaign for Pride Tape, a pro-quality hockey stick tape in rainbow colors which aims to show support for LGBTQ+ athletes.
Luke Prokop (born May 6, 2002) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League as a prospect for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL), who selected him in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 2021, Prokop came out as gay, becoming the first player under contract with an NHL team to do so.
MULTIMEDIA, PHOTOGRAPHY & SOCIAL MEDIA
ENTERTAINMENT
DJ Lucky Strike – DJ, Starbucks Rink
Seattle Kraken + Seattle Thunderbirds Music Director
David Schwartz – DJ, Smartsheet + VMFH Rink
Founder/Owner, Orion Entertainment
Everett “Fitz” Fitzhugh – Play by Play Announcer, Starbucks Rink (Sunday)
Seattle Kraken radio play-by-play announcer
(Consolation/Championship and Alaska Airlines: All Stars of Pride games only)
Tom Helm – Play by Play Announcer, Smartsheet Rink (Sunday)
Everett Aquasox in-arena announcer
(Consolation/Championship games only)
Tyler Gunhus – Play by Play Announcer, VMFH Rink (Sunday)
Seattle Thunderbirds in-arena announcer
(Consolation/Championship games only)
Ladie Chablis – Emcee & Host, Icebreaker Welcome Reception (Thursday)
Creator & Host, Lashes, Seattle’s longest running drag show
(Icebreaker Welcome Reception presented by CCM & HockeyWolf)
Dolly Madison – Performer, Icebreaker Welcome Reception (Thursday)
Host, Union Seattle
(Icebreaker Welcome Reception presented by CCM & HockeyWolf)
Sofia Da Silva – In-Arena Host, Consolation, Championship + Alaska Airlines: All Stars of Pride (Sunday)
Advocate. Educator. Performer. Author. Student. Founder.
(Donning medals on participants for all Consolation, Championship + Alaska Airlines: All Stars of Pride games)
Reign City Riot Marching Band – Sunday
Reign City Riot is a brass band and drumline that supplies high-energy entertainment before, during, and after home matches of OL Reign, our powerhouse professional NWSL soccer team. A joint venture of OL Reign and Rainbow City Performing Arts, the Riot includes many members of other RCPA ensembles and music groups from around the community who share a common love of music, OL Reign, and bringing spirit to both the athletes and the fans.
(Alaska Airlines: All Stars of Pride game only)
Buoy – Sunday
Buoy is the Seattle sea-troll who inhabits the caverns of Climate Pledge Arena and for who nothing beats a day filled with Kraken hockey and the team’s fans.
Odds are you’ll see the troll roaming out and about around the Pacific Northwest as well as hanging with the Fremont Troll, who happens to be Buoy’s uncle. Buoy is a great admirer of the Kraken and pays tribute to the mysterious deep sea creature with unique touch of magic in his hockey hair flow.
(During the Pride Skate with Buoy on Sunday afternoon – to be confirmed)
Photo Booth with Tex – Sunday
Tex, a three-year-old 115lb Great Dane Great Pyrenees mix. He has extensive training, outdoorsy spirit, passion for Lake Chelan, and unwavering loyalty. He is excited and looking forward to being a part of the Seattle Pride Classic!
(Alaska Airlines: All Stars of Pride game only)
OFF- & ON-ICE OFFICIALS
Doreen Fararr – Scorekeeper
Dan White – Scorekeeper
Dan Brown- Scorekeeper
Pat Barlow – Scorekeeper
Michelle Lim – Chief Referee
Brie Stewart – Referee
Tomas Blum – Referee
RJ Copeland – Referee
Julee Felts – Referee
