PWHL Minnesota | |
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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 |
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Minnesota are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They are one of the six charter franchises of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).
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]
No. | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
33 | ![]() |
Lauren Bench | G | L | 26 | 2023 | Eagan, Minnesota |
5 | ![]() |
Nikki Nightengale | D | R | 25 | 2023 | Bloomington, Minnesota |
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 | ![]() |
Forward | Minnesota (WCHA) |
2 | 12 | Nicole Hensley | ![]() |
Goaltender | Team Sonnet (PWHPA) |
3 | 13 | Grace Zumwinkle | ![]() |
Forward | Minnesota (WCHA) |
4 | 24 | Maggie Flaherty | ![]() |
Defence | Minnesota Duluth (WCHA) |
5 | 25 | Susanna Tapani | ![]() |
Forward | KRS Vanke Rays (ZhHL; 2021–22) |
6 | 36 | Clair DeGeorge | ![]() |
Forward | Team Harvey's (PWHPA) |
7 | 37 | Natalie Buchbinder | ![]() |
Defence | Wisconsin (WCHA) |
8 | 48 | Denisa Krizova | ![]() |
Forward | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
9 | 49 | Sidney Morin | ![]() |
Defence | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
10 | 60 | Sophia Kunin | ![]() |
Forward | Team Harvey's (PWHPA) |
11 | 61 | Amanda Leveille | ![]() |
Goaltender | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
12 | 72 | Michela Cava | ![]() |
Forward | Toronto Six (PHF) |
13 | 73 | Liz Schepers | ![]() |
Forward | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
14 | 84 | Minttu Tuominen | ![]() |
Defence | Kiekko-Espoo (NSML) |
15 | 85 | Sydney Brodt | ![]() |
Forward | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |