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PWHL Minnesota

PWHL Minnesota 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). In 2024, PWHL Minnesota won the PWHL's inaugural Walter Cup championship.

History

Founding

On August 29, 2023, it was announced that one of the PWHL's first six franchises would be located in Minnesota.[1][2] The team immediately filled the void left by the loss of the Minnesota Whitecaps, a long-running club that had most recently played in the defunct Premier Hockey Federation.[3] On September 1, Natalie Darwitz, former captain of the United States national team and three-time Olympic medalist, was named the PWHL Minnesota's general manager.[4][5] 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.[6] However, it was announced on December 27 that Burggraf was stepping down, and would be replaced by former U.S. national team coach Ken Klee.[7]

The team's first three player signings were U.S. national team players Kendall Coyne Schofield, Kelly Pannek, and Lee Stecklein.[8] 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.[9]

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 National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild, in Saint Paul.[10][11]

Minnesota celebrating a victory over PWHL Montreal in 2024.

Inaugural season

Ahead of the team's inaugural game in January 2024, it was announced that Kendall Coyne Schofield would serve as team captain, with Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein serving as assistant captains.[12] The team played its first game on January 3, facing PWHL Boston in Lowell, Massachusetts. Taylor Heise scored the first goal in franchise history, and Minnesota went on to win by a score of 3–2.[13] 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.[14] Grace Zumwinkle recorded a hat-trick in the game, and Maddie Rooney recorded the shutout.[15]

On May 5, 2024, the team secured the fourth seed in the inaugural PWHL playoffs.[16] PWHL Minnesota beat first-ranked PWHL Toronto in a five-game semifinal series, completing a reverse sweep after losing the first two games and advancing to the finals against PWHL Boston.[17] In the finals, PWHL Minnesota won a close-fought series. The championship came down to a decisive Game 5; Minnesota overcame a double-overtime loss in Game 4 at home to win 3–0 on the road at Boston's Tsongas Center.[18][19] This made Minnesota the PWHL's inaugural Walter Cup champions.[19] Heise led the playoffs in scoring and won the inaugural Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Award.[20] After the season, Zumwinkle was named the PWHL's rookie of the year.[21]

Natalie Darwitz parted ways with the team in June 2024, with Ken Klee taking over as acting general manager.[22]

Players and personnel

Current roster

As of March 20, 2024[23][24][25]

Reserves

As of March 20, 2024[23][24][25]

Team captains

General managers

Head coaches

First-round draft picks

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. ^ Dachman, Jason (January 30, 2024). "Inside the Whirlwind Launch of the Professional Women's Hockey League's Broadcast Operations". sportsvideo.org. Sports Video Group. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  3. ^ Clayton, Ren (July 13, 2023). "Women's professional hockey in Minnesota in limbo". CBS News. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ Burgess, Melissa (September 2, 2023). "PWHL Introduces General Managers, Announces Draft Order". The Victory Press. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  6. ^ "Ryan, MacLeod headline PWHL coaches". Sportsnet. Canadian Press. September 15, 2023. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ Kennedy, Ian (November 23, 2023). "PWHL Releases Jersey Designs". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  11. ^ Kennedy, Ian (November 28, 2023). "PWHL Officially Announces Venues". The Hockey News. Brantford, Ontario: Routan Media. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  12. ^ "PWHL Minnesota appoints Kendall Coyne as team captain". Sportsnet. January 3, 2024. Archived from the original on January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Blount, Rachel (May 6, 2024). "PWHL Minnesota backs into final playoff spot". startribune.com. Minneapolis: Star Tribune. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  17. ^ "Heise scores 2 goals as Minnesota beats Toronto 4-1 to advance to PWHL finals". MPR News. St. Paul: Minnesota Public Radio. May 17, 2024. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  18. ^ "Boston beats Minnesota in double OT to force winner-take-all Game 5 in Walter Cup final". cbc.ca. May 26, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Cox, Peter (May 30, 2024). "PWHL Minnesota fans cheer on the team in Boston and at home as they win inaugural Walter Cup". MPR News. St. Paul: Minnesota Public Radio. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  20. ^ "PWHL Minnesota's Heise wins Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP Award". The Sports Network. May 29, 2024. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  21. ^ "Former Gophers star Grace Zumwinkle named PWHL rookie of the year". Star Tribune. June 11, 2024. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  22. ^ Tribune, Rachel Blount Star. "Natalie Darwitz out as PWHL Minnesota's GM after championship run, clash with head coach". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  23. ^ 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
  24. ^ a b "PWHL Minnesota Roster 2024 Regular Season". ThePWHL.com. Professional Women's Hockey League. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Roster Updates". March 19, 2024.

External links