PWHL Minnesota

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PWHL Minnesota
CitySaint Paul, Minnesota
LeaguePWHL
FoundedAugust 29, 2023 (2023-08-29)
Home arenaXcel Energy Center
ColorsPurple, black, white
     
Owner(s)Mark Walter Group
General managerNatalie Darwitz
Head coachKen Klee
CaptainKendall Coyne Schofield
Websiteminnesota.thepwhl.com
Current season

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).

History[edit]

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[edit]

Current roster[edit]

As of March 20, 2024[14][15][16]
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
10 United States Sydney Brodt F R 25 2023 North Oaks, Minnesota
17 United States Brooke Bryant F R 23 2023 Linden, California
22 United States Natalie Buchbinder D R 25 2023 Fairport, New York
7 United States Claire Butorac F R 24 2023 Andover, Minnesota
86 Canada Michela Cava F R 30 2023 Thunder Bay, Ontario
23 Canada Mellissa Channell D L 29 2023 Oakville, Ontario
26 United States Kendall Coyne Schofield (C) F L 31 2023 Palos Heights, Illinois
14 United States Clair DeGeorge F L 24 2023 Anchorage, Alaska
19 United States Maggie Flaherty D L 23 2023 Lakeville, Minnesota
18 United States Brittyn Fleming F L 24 2023 Oregon, Wisconsin
25 Canada Emma Greco D L 29 2023 Burlington, Ontario
27 United States Taylor Heise F R 24 2023 Lake City, Minnesota
29 United States Nicole Hensley G L 29 2023 Littleton, Colorado
16 Canada Sophie Jaques D R 23 2024 Toronto, Ontario
36 United States Dominique Kremer F R 26 2023 Fargo, North Dakota
41 Czech Republic Denisa Křižová F L 29 2023 Horni Cerekev, Czechia
11 United States Sophia Kunin F R 27 2023 Wayzata, Minnesota
28 Canada Amanda Leveille Injured Reserve G L 29 2023 Kingston, Ontario
12 United States Kelly Pannek (A) F R 28 2023 Plymouth, Minnesota
35 United States Maddie Rooney G L 26 2023 Andover, Minnesota
21 United States Liz Schepers F L 25 2023 Mound, Minnesota
2 United States Lee Stecklein (A) D L 29 2023 Roseville, Minnesota
13 United States Grace Zumwinkle F R 24 2023 Excelsior, Minnesota

Reserves[edit]

As of March 20, 2024[14][15][16]
No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
33 United States Lauren Bench G L 26 2024 Eagan, Minnesota
5 United States Nikki Nightengale D R 26 2023 Bloomington, Minnesota
24 United States Abigail Boreen F R 24 2024 Somerset, Wisconsin

Draft history[edit]

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.[17]

2023 PWHL Draft
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 Kunin  United States Forward Team Harvey's (PWHPA)
11 61 Amanda Leveille  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[edit]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ a b Burgess, Melissa (September 2, 2023). "PWHL Introduces General Managers, Announces Draft Order". The Victory Press. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ryan, MacLeod headline PWHL coaches". Sportsnet. Canadian Press. September 15, 2023. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ Kennedy, Ian (November 23, 2023). "PWHL Releases Jersey Designs". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Kennedy, Ian (November 28, 2023). "PWHL Officially Announces Venues". The Athletic. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  10. ^ "PWHL Minnesota appoints Kendall Coyne as team captain". Sportsnet. January 3, 2024. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ a b 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
  15. ^ a b "PWHL Minnesota Roster 2024 Regular Season". ThePWHL.com. Professional Women's Hockey League. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Roster Updates". March 19, 2024.
  17. ^ "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.

External links[edit]

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