PWHL Minnesota
PWHL Minnesota | |
---|---|
File:Minnesota PWHL.jpg | |
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 |
Franchise history | |
Previous franchise history | |
Championships | |
Current season |
PWHL Minnesota[1] is 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).
Contents
History
It was revealed on August 29, 2023, that one of the PWHL's first six franchises would be located in Minnesota.[2] Natalie Darwitz, former captain of the United States national team and three-time Olympic medalist, was named the team's general manager.[3][4] 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.[5] 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.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8]
In November, it was revealed that PWHL 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.[9][10]
Ahead of the team's inaugural game in January 2024, it was announced that Coyne Schofield would serve as team captain, with Pannek and Stecklein serving as assistant captains.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13] Grace Zumwinkle recorded a hat-trick in the game, and Maddie Rooney recorded the shutout.[14]
On May 5, 2024 the team secured the fourth seed in the first ever PWHL playoffs.[15][16]
Team
Current roster
Reserves
# | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
33 | Lauren Bench | G | L | 26 | 2024 | Eagan, Minnesota | |
5 | Nikki Nightengale | D | R | 26 | 2023 | Bloomington, Minnesota | |
24 | Abigail Boreen | F | R | 24 | 2024 | Somerset, Wisconsin |
Draft history
Held on September 18, 2023, the inaugural PWHL draft used a "snake draft" format, where the selection order reversed each round.[4] PWHL Minnesota was awarded the first overall selection through a draft lottery.[20]
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
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External links
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- Articles with short description
- Use mdy dates from September 2023
- Articles with invalid date parameter in template
- Pages with broken file links
- Articles with hCards
- Official website not in Wikidata
- PWHL Minnesota
- Ice hockey clubs established in 2023
- Professional Women's Hockey League teams
- Women's ice hockey teams in the United States
- 2023 establishments in Minnesota
- Professional ice hockey teams in Minnesota