Minnesota PWHL team
Minnesota are a professional ice hockey team based in Minnesota. They are one of the six charter franchises of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).
| PWHL Minnesota | |
|---|---|
| League | PWHL |
| Founded | August 29, 2023 |
| Owner(s) | Mark Walters Group |
| General manager | Natalie Darwitz |
| Head coach | Charlie Burggraf |
| Website | League website |
 Current season | |
History
It was revealed that one of the PWHL's first six franchises would be located in Minnesota on August 29, 2023.[1] Natalie Darwitz, former captain of the United States national team and three-time Olympic medalist, was named the team's inaugural 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]
The team's three free agency signings were United States national team players Kendall Coyne Schofield, Kelly Pannek, and Lee Stecklein.[5] 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.[6]
The team name, logo and colors have yet to be announced. Minnesota are expected to play at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota; however, no official statement regarding the team's home venue has been made as of September 8, 2023.[7]
Team
Current roster
- As of September 18, 2023
| No. | Nat | Player | Pos | S/G | Age | Acquired | Birthplace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Kendall Coyne Schofield | F | L | 31 | 2023 | Palos Heights, Illinois | |
|
Kelly Pannek | F | R | 27 | 2023 | Plymouth, Minnesota | |
|
Lee Stecklein | D | L | 29 | 2023 | Roseville, Minnesota | |
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.[8]
| 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 Křížová |  Czech Republic |
Forward | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
| 9 | 49 | Sidney Morin | United States |
Defence | Minnesota Whitecaps (PHF) |
| 10 | 60 | Sophia Shaver | United States |
Forward | Team Harvey's (PWHPA) |
| 11 | 61 | Amanda Leveille | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} 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
- Wyshynski, Greg (August 29, 2023). "Six inaugural franchises revealed for new PWHL". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- "PWHL names six general managers as teams begin roster construction". Sportsnet. September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- Burgess, Melissa (September 2, 2023). "PWHL Introduces General Managers, Announces Draft Order". The Victory Press. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- Sportsnet Staff (September 15, 2023). "Ryan, MacLeod headline PWHL coaches". SportsNet.ca. Sportsnet. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- "PWHL Signing Tracker". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- "Minnesota Picks Taylor Heise 1st in the Inaugural Professional Women's Hockey League Draft". US News. Associated Press. September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- Salvian, Hailey (August 29, 2023). "PWHL announces original 6 markets, draft plan". The Athletic. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- "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.