PWHL Minnesota

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PWHL Minnesota
Minnesota PWHL.jpg
City Saint Paul, Minnesota
League PWHL
FoundedAugust 29, 2023 (2023-08-29)
Home arena Xcel Energy Center
ColorsPurple, black, white
   
Owner(s) Mark Walter Group
General manager Natalie Darwitz
Head coach Ken Klee
Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield
Website minnesota.thepwhl.com
Hockey current event.svg 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).

Contents

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

As of March 20, 2024 [14] [15] [16]
No. Nat Player Pos S/G AgeAcquiredBirthplace
10 Flag of the United States.svg Sydney Brodt F R252023 North Oaks, Minnesota
17 Flag of the United States.svg Brooke Bryant F R232023 Linden, California
22 Flag of the United States.svg Natalie Buchbinder D R252023 Fairport, New York
7 Flag of the United States.svg Claire Butorac F R242023 Andover, Minnesota
86 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Michela Cava F R302023 Thunder Bay, Ontario
23 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mellissa Channell D L292023 Oakville, Ontario
26 Flag of the United States.svg Kendall Coyne Schofield  ( C ) F L312023 Palos Heights, Illinois
14 Flag of the United States.svg Clair DeGeorge F L242023 Anchorage, Alaska
19 Flag of the United States.svg Maggie Flaherty D L232023 Lakeville, Minnesota
18 Flag of the United States.svg Brittyn Fleming F L242023 Oregon, Wisconsin
25 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Emma Greco D L292023 Burlington, Ontario
27 Flag of the United States.svg Taylor Heise F R242023 Lake City, Minnesota
29 Flag of the United States.svg Nicole Hensley G L292023 Littleton, Colorado
16 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sophie Jaques D R232024 Toronto, Ontario
36 Flag of the United States.svg Dominique Kremer F R262023 Fargo, North Dakota
41 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Denisa Křižová F L292023 Horni Cerekev, Czechia
11 Flag of the United States.svg Sophia Kunin F R272023 Wayzata, Minnesota
28 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Amanda Leveille   Injury icon 2.svg G L292023 Kingston, Ontario
12 Flag of the United States.svg Kelly Pannek  ( A ) F R282023 Plymouth, Minnesota
35 Flag of the United States.svg Maddie Rooney G L262023 Andover, Minnesota
21 Flag of the United States.svg Liz Schepers F L252023 Mound, Minnesota
2 Flag of the United States.svg Lee Stecklein  ( A ) D L292023 Roseville, Minnesota
13 Flag of the United States.svg Grace Zumwinkle F R242023 Excelsior, Minnesota

Reserves

As of March 20, 2024 [14] [15] [16]
No. Nat Player Pos S/G AgeAcquiredBirthplace
33 Flag of the United States.svg Lauren Bench G L262024 Eagan, Minnesota
5 Flag of the United States.svg Nikki Nightengale D R262023 Bloomington, Minnesota
24 Flag of the United States.svg Abigail Boreen F R242024 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. [3] Minnesota was awarded the first overall selection through a draft lottery. [17]

2023 PWHL Draft
RdPickPlayerNationalityPositionPrevious team
11 Taylor Heise Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Forward Minnesota (WCHA)
212 Nicole Hensley Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Goaltender Team Sonnet (PWHPA)
313 Grace Zumwinkle Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States ForwardMinnesota (WCHA)
424 Maggie Flaherty Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Defence Minnesota Duluth (WCHA)
525 Susanna Tapani Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Forward KRS Vanke Rays (ZhHL; 2021–22)
636 Clair DeGeorge Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States ForwardTeam Harvey's (PWHPA)
737 Natalie Buchbinder Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Defence Wisconsin (WCHA)
848 Denisa Krizova Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Forward Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF)
949 Sidney Morin Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States DefenceMinnesota Whitecaps (PHF)
1060 Sophia Kunin Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States ForwardTeam Harvey's (PWHPA)
1161 Amanda Leveille Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada GoaltenderMinnesota Whitecaps (PHF)
1272 Michela Cava Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada ForwardToronto Six (PHF)
1373 Liz Schepers Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States ForwardMinnesota Whitecaps (PHF)
1484 Minttu Tuominen Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Defence Kiekko-Espoo (NSML)
1585 Sydney Brodt Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States ForwardMinnesota Whitecaps (PHF)

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References

  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. 1 2 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. 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
  15. 1 2 "PWHL Minnesota Roster 2024 Regular Season". ThePWHL.com. Professional Women's Hockey League . Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  16. 1 2 "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.
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