SEATTLE — This weekend Seattle is home to the largest pride hockey tournament in the world.
Hundreds of LGBTQ+ hockey players made their way to north Seattle to play in the "Seattle Pride Classic."
Breaking the ice, while breaking barriers is the goal for the Seattle Pride Hockey Association.
"We're trying to build and grow inclusivity and diversity in the hockey community and the Pacific Northwest," said Joey Gale, Seattle Pride Hockey Association co-founder.
The non-profit is putting on its fourth annual "Seattle Pride Classic" at the Kraken Community Iceplex this weekend, marking a historic moment.
“Just surpassed the biggest Pride hockey tournament in the world this year,” Gale said. “The past few years we've slowly but surely been growing from four teams to ten teams, to 16 teams. This year we have 300 participants and a total of 20 teams."
Gale said two-thirds of the participants identify as LGBTQ+, with players coming from around the world, as far as Australia, the East Coast and Canada.
"I'm turning 40 this year and I feel like I'm at the peak of my hockey career," Kao Lawrie said.
Lawrie is one of the players taking the ice, hoping to inspire those around them. Showing that anyone can play this sport they consider an art form.
"It's kind of an interpretive dance out there,” Lawrie said. “I love that it's creative, its athletic, it's hard, it's challenging. It's never the same, every game is different, there's different variables and it's just super fun."
Fun that will continue to grow, as the tournament celebrates this sport and community.
"Hockey can be celebrated for everyone; hockey is better when we're all each other's teammates,” Gale said.