The Minnesota Frost is a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, competing in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). They are one of the league's six charter franchises and play their home games at Xcel Energy Center. In 2024, the Frost won the PWHL's inaugural Walter Cup championship. The team was established after the Minnesota Whitecaps left the Premier Hockey Federation, with Natalie Darwitz appointed as the general manager and Charlie Burggraf as the first head coach. Burggraf was later replaced by Ken Klee
The team had a successful inaugural season, with Kendall Coyne Schofield serving as captain. They made a strong start, winning their first game in January 2024, and set a record for attendance at a women's professional hockey game during their home debut. Minnesota went on to defeat PWHL Toronto and PWHL Boston to win the Walter Cup. In September 2024, the team was officially named the Minnesota Frost, with a logo featuring icicles and a purple and black color scheme.
Minnesota Frost roster
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, The Minnesota Frost announced their roster for the 2024 PWHL season on November 29, 2024. Among the 16 returning players are key contributors like captain Kendall Coyne Schofield and alternate captains Kelly Pannek and Lee Stecklein.
The roster features nine Minnesota natives and 11 players with collegiate hockey ties to Minnesota. Notable additions include top draft picks like Claire Thompson and rookies such as Britta Curl-Salemme. The goaltending duo of Nicole Hensley and Maddie Rooney anchors the team.
Minnesota Frost forward
According to the PWHL, The Minnesota Frost lineup includes key forwards like Kelly Pannek, a 28-year-old from Plymouth, MN, and Taylor Heise, a standout 24-year-old from Lake City, MN, both drafted in 2023. Other notable players are Grace Zumwinkle, and Kendall Coyne Schofield. The team also features younger forwards like Brooke McQuigge, Katy Knoll, and Claire Butorac, drafted in 2024.
| # | Name | Pos | Shoots | DOB | Home town |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Brooke McQuigge | F | L | 2000-06-09 | Bowmanville, ON |
| 6 | Katy Knoll | F | R | 2001-01-16 | Amherst, NY |
| 7 | Claire Butorac | F | R | 1999-09-24 | Andover, MN |
| 11 | Kaitlyn O'Donohoe | F | R | 2001-09-20 | Atlanta, GA |
| 12 | Kelly Pannek | F | R | 1995-12-29 | Plymouth, MN |
| 13 | Grace Zumwinkle | F | R | 1999-04-23 | Excelsior, MN |
| 14 | Dominique Petrie | F | R | 2001-01-21 | Hermosa Beach, CA |
| 17 | Brooke Bryant | F | R | 2000-08-22 | Linden, CA |
| 21 | Liz Schepers | F | L | 1999-02-13 | Mound, MN |
| 26 | Kendall Coyne Schofield | F | L | 1992-05-25 | Palos Heights, IL |
| 27 | Taylor Heise | F | R | 2000-03-17 | Lake City, MN |
| 41 | Denisa Křížová | F | L | 1994-11-03 | Horní Cerekev, CZE |
| 71 | Klara Hymlarova | F | L | 1999-02-27 | Opava, CZE |
| 77 | Britta Curl-Salemme | F | L | 2000-03-20 | Bismarck, ND |
| 86 | Michela Cava | F | R | 1994-03-26 | Thunder Bay, ON |
Minnesota Frost defenders
According to the PWHL, The Minnesota Frost's defensive lineup features Lee Stecklein, Charlotte Akervik, Mae Batherson, Sophie Jaques, Maggie Flaherty, Natalie Buchbinder, Mellissa Channell-Watkins, and Claire Thompson. These players come from top universities, including the University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, and Princeton University.
| # | Name | Pos | Shoots | DOB | Home town |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Lee Stecklein | D | L | 1994-04-23 | Roseville, MN |
| 8 | Charlotte Akervik | D | R | 2001-02-17 | Eau Claire, WI |
| 9 | Mae Batherson | D | L | 2000-12-05 | New Minas, NS |
| 16 | Sophie Jaques | D | R | 2000-10-16 | Toronto, ON |
| 19 | Maggie Flaherty | D | L | 2000-06-02 | Lakeville, MN |
| 22 | Natalie Buchbinder | D | R | 1999-01-22 | Fairport, NY |
| 23 | Mellissa Channell-Watkins | D | L | 1994-12-16 | Plymouth, MI |
| 42 | Claire Thompson | D | L | 1998-01-28 | Toronto, ON |
Minnesota Frost goalies
According to the PWHL, The Minnesota Frost's goaltending team includes Nicole Hensley, Lucy Morgan, and Maddie Rooney.
| # | Name | Pos | Catches | DOB | Home town |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Nicole Hensley | G | L | 1994-06-23 | Lakewood, CO |
| 32 | Lucy Morgan | G | R | 2001-08-18 | Mandan, ND |
| 35 | Maddie Rooney | G | L | 1997-07-07 | Andover, MN |
FAQs on Minnesota Frost
A. The Minnesota Frost plays their home games at the Xcel Energy Center.
A. The Minnesota Frost is owned by the Mark Walter Group.
A. As of 2024, the general manager of Minnesota Frost is Melissa Caruso.
A. As of 2024, the head coach of Minnesota Frost is Ken Klee.
A. The Minnesota Frost has won 1 Walter Cup, during the 2023–24 season.
