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
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL; , ''LPHF'') is a Professional sports, professional Ice hockey#Women's ice hockey, women's ice hockey league in North America, wholly owned and operated by the Mark Walter, Mark Walter Group. It con ...
(PWHL).
History
It was revealed on August 29, 2023, that one of the PWHL's first six franchises would be located in Minnesota.
Natalie Darwitz, former captain of the
United States national team
The United States national team or Team USA may refer to any of a number of sports team representing the United States in international competitions.
Olympic teams
Additionally, these teams may compete in other international competitions such as ...
and three-time Olympic medalist, was named the team's general manager.
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.
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
Kenneth William Robert Klee (born April 24, 1971) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played most notably with the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Early life
Klee was born in Indianapolis, Indian ...
.
The team's three signings in the league's initial free agency period were US national team players
Kendall Coyne Schofield,
Kelly Pannek
Kelly Pannek (born December 29, 1995) is an American ice hockey player for PWHL Minnesota of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She previously played in the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association.
Career
In high school, she s ...
, and
Lee Stecklein. 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
Taylor Heise (born March 17, 2000) is an American women's ice hockey forward for Minnesota and member of the United States women's national ice hockey team. She won the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2022.
Early life
Heise attended Red Wing High School ...
.
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
Paul; grc, Παῦλος, translit=Paulos; cop, ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ; hbo, פאולוס השליח (previously called Saul of Tarsus;; ar, بولس الطرسوسي; grc, Σαῦλος Ταρσεύς, Saũlos Tarseús; tr, Tarsuslu Pavlus; ...
.
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. 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. 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.
Grace Zumwinkle
Grace Zumwinkle (born April 23, 1999) is an American ice hockey player for PWHL Minnesota of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She played college ice hockey at Minnesota. She represented the United States women's national ice hockey ...
recorded a hat-trick in the game, and
Maddie Rooney
Madeline S. "Maddie" Rooney (born July 7, 1997) is an American ice hockey player who plays for PWHL Minnesota of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She was the starting goaltender for the United States women's national ice hockey tea ...
recorded the shutout.
Team
Current roster
Reserves
Draft history
Held on September 18, 2023, the
inaugural PWHL draft used a "snake draft" format, where the selection order reversed each round.
Minnesota was awarded the first overall selection through a draft lottery.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:PWHL Minnesota
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