Before PWHL Seattle existed, a trip to the Emerald City put the idea of living in the Pacific Northwest in the thoughts of Natalie Snodgrass. Fast forward to June 18th, 2025 when fans found out that Snodgrass signed a one-year agreement during free agency to play in Seattle for its inaugural season. “I think I manifested this,” she said.

“One of my all-time favorite coaches, Katelyn Parker, she was my assistant college coach, she now works for the Seattle Kraken organization,” Snodgrass said.

“A few years ago, she invited me over to help coach a Kraken youth hockey camp and it was during that weekend that I got to see the sights and do some touristy things. When she dropped me off at the airport, I remember looking at her and being like, ‘Parks, I could live here. This was awesome.’”

When Vancouver and Seattle were announced for expansion current players in the PWHL were finishing up their seasons and fighting for playoff spots. For Snodgrass, the consideration of potentially playing for either team had to be put on the back burner during that time, but she definitely took notice.

“I think my initial reaction was like, ‘Wow. How cool are the players that get to start that team. The fact that they live in Seattle and play hockey there- like, what a dream,’” Snodgrass shared. “When [the season] finally ended and I was a free agent, I was like ‘Wow, Seattle would be my number one dream.’”

Snodgrass Seizes The Opportunity In Free Agency

After the Expansion Draft, PWHL Seattle had built an impressive roster, but when Free Agency started, fans were anxious to hear news of additional players. From the outside, it seemed quiet on that first day of Free Agency, but there is so much that goes into signing players and, from a player perspective, it’s anything but quiet.

“In free agency, it’s not really where you want to go, it’s where you’re wanted, and, honestly, the process was very quick and unexpected, and Meg Turner just reached out with an opportunity of a lifetime, and I took it, and I ran, and I’m not looking back because I’m just so excited about going to Seattle and being a part of this organization and being a part of this team with these girls and just being in Seattle.”

PWHL Seattle General Manager Meghan Turner had previously described Snodgrass as “a strong skater with the versatility to play in a number of different roles.” Those who have watched Snodgrass on the ice know she brings her all to every shift. She’s ready to bring her unique style of play to Seattle this season as well.

“You know, I practice how I play. The nitty gritty drills that a lot of us don’t like- those are kind of my bread and butter. Getting in the corner, getting dirty, and using my physicality and my size to my advantage trying to make something out of nothing. That’s kind of the core to my game. In this league, I think you have to know your role and adapt, and I think I’ve just figured out that I’m just kind of a greasy player and I think I bring kind of a different element than a lot of players.”

Snodgrass also knows that all roles are important in getting a successful team to the ice. The PWHL Seattle roster is full of so many exceptional players that it would be hard to not just be excited to play with each one of them, but Snodgrass picked out a few she’s looking forward to hitting the ice with.

“I’m really excited to play with Jessie Eldridge. I think I’ve admired her game from afar for a really long time and I’ve also heard she’s just an incredible human being. I think just finally being able to be on a team with her is going to be great,” Snodgrass said.

“Obviously, the star-studded power of Hilary Knight and Alex Carpenter are going to be amazing and the leadership and experience they bring are going to be a huge advantage, so I’m excited to be on their team. I can’t say enough good things about Cayla Barnes too. She’s just a cutie that I can’t wait to be on the same team again too.”

Takeover Tour Gives A Glimpse Of New Markets

Seattle was a stop on last year’s Takeover Tour and even though Ottawa didn’t play there, Snodgrass was still a part of bringing PWHL games to new markets in Edmonton, Raleigh, and St. Louis. She feels these tours are extremely important for fans, but for the players as well.

“Obviously, there’s been a lot of success in Detroit and Quebec City and those games, for players, are very memorable because you play in front of a sold-out NHL-sized arena. How many times in your life are you going to play in front of twenty thousand fans? As a player, it’s incredibly special to be in a new place and new environment that doesn’t have a market quite yet. As a fan, oh my gosh. When we went to Edmonton we saw the fans rally behind the Edmonton locals like [Danielle] Serdachny and Masch (Emerance Maschmeyer). It gives me goosebumps.”

From golf to pickleball to walking her dog, Snodgrass lives an active life even off the ice. She’s also a foodie looking forward to the food scene in Seattle as well as gathering fresh ingredients from the famous Pike Place Market. Snodgrass loves watching sports and specifically supporting other women’s teams. She will have no shortage of chances to do that with the amazing teams in Seattle especially with the Seattle Storm being roommates to PWHL Seattle at Climate Pledge Arena.

Snodgrass has a message, and some requests, for Seattle fans before the season starts.

“I’m so excited to meet you,” she said. “Please bring your passion and your energy and your voices to our home opener. I love to laugh so please make any signs that will make me giggle because that is also hugely important.”