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
LeaguePWHL
FoundedAugust 29, 2023 (2023-08-29)
Owner(s)Mark Walters Group
General managerNatalie Darwitz
Head coachCharlie Burggraf
WebsiteLeague 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
United States Kendall Coyne Schofield F L 31 2023 Palos Heights, Illinois
United States Kelly Pannek F R 27 2023 Plymouth, Minnesota
United States 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]

2023 PWHL Draft
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  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

  1. Wyshynski, Greg (August 29, 2023). "Six inaugural franchises revealed for new PWHL". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  2. "PWHL names six general managers as teams begin roster construction". Sportsnet. September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  3. Burgess, Melissa (September 2, 2023). "PWHL Introduces General Managers, Announces Draft Order". The Victory Press. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  4. Sportsnet Staff (September 15, 2023). "Ryan, MacLeod headline PWHL coaches". SportsNet.ca. Sportsnet. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  5. "PWHL Signing Tracker". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  6. "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.
  7. Salvian, Hailey (August 29, 2023). "PWHL announces original 6 markets, draft plan". The Athletic. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  8. "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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