| PWHL Minnesota | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| League | PWHL |
| Founded | August 29, 2023 |
| Home arena | Xcel Energy Center |
| Colors | Purple, black, white |
| Owner(s) | Mark Walter Group |
| General manager | Natalie Darwitz |
| Head coach | Ken Klee |
| Captain | Kendall Coyne Schofield |
| Website | minnesota.thepwhl.com |
 Current season | |
Minnesota are a professional ice hockey team based in Minnesota. They are one of the six charter franchises of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).
History
It was revealed on August 29, 2023, that one of the PWHL's first six franchises would be located in Minnesota.[1] Natalie Darwitz, former captain of the United States national team and three-time Olympic medalist, was named the team's general manager.[2][3] On September 15, former Bethel University men's and women's head coach Charlie Burggraf was announced as the first head coach of the team.[4] However, it was announced on December 27 that Burggraf was stepping down as the team's head coach, and would be replaced by former US national team coach Ken Klee.[5]
The team's three signings in the league's initial free agency period were US national team players Kendall Coyne Schofield, Kelly Pannek, and Lee Stecklein.[6] Minnesota was awarded the right to select first overall in the inaugural PWHL draft through a lottery; with the pick, the team selected Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Taylor Heise.[7]
In November, it was revealed that Minnesota's colors would be purple, black, and white, and that the team would play at Xcel Energy Center, home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild, in Saint Paul.[8][9]
Ahead of the team's inaugural game in January 2024, it was announced that Coyne Shofield would serve as team captain, with Pannek and Stecklein serving as assistant captains.[10] The team played its first game on January 3, facing Boston in Lowell, Massachusetts. Heise scored the first goal in franchise history, and Minnesota went on to win by a score of 3–2.[11] Minnesota made its home debut three days later on January 6, defeating Montreal by a score of 3–0 in front of 13,316 fans, which set a new record for attendance at a professional women's hockey game.[12] Grace Zumwinkle recorded a hat-trick in the game, and Maddie Rooney recorded the shutout.[13]
Team
Current roster
Reserves
| No. | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 |  |
Lauren Bench | G | L | 26 | 2023 | Eagan, Minnesota |
| 24 | |
Abigail Boreen | F | R | 23 | 2023 | Somerset, Wisconsin |
| 5 | |
Nikki Nightengale | D | R | 25 | 2023 | Bloomington, Minnesota |
Draft history
Held on September 18, 2023, the inaugural PWHL draft used a "snake draft" format, where the selection order reversed each round.[3] Minnesota was awarded the first overall selection through a draft lottery.[16]
| Rd | Pick | Player | Nationality | Position | Previous team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Taylor Heise | United States |
Forward | Minnesota (WCHA) |
| 2 | 12 | Nicole Hensley | United States |
Goaltender | Team Sonnet (PWHPA) |
| 3 | 13 | Grace Zumwinkle | United States |
Forward | Minnesota (WCHA) |
| 4 | 24 | Maggie Flaherty | United States |
Defence | Minnesota Duluth (WCHA) |
| 5 | 25 | Susanna Tapani |  Finland |
Forward | KRS Vanke Rays (ZhHL; 2021–22) |
| 6 | 36 | Clair DeGeorge | United States |
Forward | Team Harvey's (PWHPA) |
| 7 | 37 | Natalie Buchbinder | United States |
Defence | Wisconsin (WCHA) |
| 8 | 48 | Denisa Krizova |  Czech Republic |
Forward | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
| 9 | 49 | Sidney Morin | United States |
Defence | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
| 10 | 60 | Sophia Shaver | United States |
Forward | Team Harvey's (PWHPA) |
| 11 | 61 | Amanda Leveille | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Canada |
Goaltender | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
| 12 | 72 | Michela Cava | Canada |
Forward | Toronto Six (PHF) |
| 13 | 73 | Liz Schepers | United States |
Forward | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
| 14 | 84 | Minttu Tuominen | Finland |
Defence | Kiekko-Espoo (NSML) |
| 15 | 85 | Sydney Brodt | United States |
Forward | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
References
- ↑ Wyshynski, Greg (August 29, 2023). "Six inaugural franchises revealed for new PWHL". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ↑ "PWHL names six general managers as teams begin roster construction". Sportsnet. Canadian Press. September 1, 2023. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- 1 2 Burgess, Melissa (September 2, 2023). "PWHL Introduces General Managers, Announces Draft Order". The Victory Press. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ↑ "Ryan, MacLeod headline PWHL coaches". Sportsnet. Canadian Press. September 15, 2023. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ↑ "Charlie Burggraf steps down as head coach of PWHL Minnesota days before season opener". CBC Sports. December 27, 2023. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ↑ "Coyne Schofield, Pannek and Stecklein sign with Minnesota's PWHL franchise". Sportsnet. September 6, 2023. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ↑ "Minnesota Picks Taylor Heise 1st in the Inaugural Professional Women's Hockey League Draft". US News. Associated Press. September 18, 2023. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ↑ Kennedy, Ian (November 23, 2023). "PWHL Releases Jersey Designs". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
- ↑ Kennedy, Ian (November 28, 2023). "PWHL Officially Announces Venues". The Athletic. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ↑ "PWHL Minnesota appoints Kendall Coyne as team captain". Sportsnet. January 3, 2024. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ↑ Blount, Rachel (January 3, 2024). "Minnesota wins 3-2 at Boston in its first PWHL game, starting new era in women's hockey". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ↑ "PWHL game in Minnesota sets attendance record with 13,316 fans". The Guardian. January 7, 2024. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ↑ Nelson, John (January 7, 2024). "PWHL Minnesota smashes attendance world record and wins in shutout". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- 1 2 Donkin, Karissa (December 12, 2023). "PWHL teams release final 23-player rosters ahead of Jan. 1 season opener". cbc.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
Teams will also carry 3 reserve players for 2024 season
- 1 2 "PWHL Minnesota Roster 2024 Regular Season". ThePWHL.com. Professional Women's Hockey League. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Professional Women's Hockey League announces 2023 Draft order of selection". thepwhl.com. September 1, 2023. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.