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PWHL Roster Status Report: Minnesota

A look at how PWHL Minnesota's roster is shaping up, plus where all of last year's players are now.

PWHL Roster Status Report: Minnesota
PWHL Minnesota poses for a team photo after winning the Walter Cup. Photo courtesy of the PWHL.

Next up in our look at how each PWHL team's roster are stacking up is Minnesota, which has had a tumultuous offseason. It’s a mess with many layers, but my colleague Angelica Rodriguez has written a column with links to all the necessary reporting, found here.

All signing information is according to TIG’s roster tracker. Camp invite details are from a master spreadsheet by The Score’s Kyle Cushman unless otherwise noted.

Players From Last Year’s Roster

Coyne Schofield raises the Walter Cup as she skates to her teammates, who are cheering. Most of them also have their arms raised. They are all wearing white away uniforms.
Kendall Coyne Schofield brings the Walter Cup over to her teammates as they cheer. Photo by Kelly Hagenson/PWHL.

Still Had Term

Forwards

  • Kendall Coyne Schofield
  • Kelly Pannek
  • Taylor Heise
  • Denisa Křížová
  • Grace Zumwinkle

Defenders

  • Lee Stecklein
  • Sophie Jaques
  • Maggie Flaherty
  • Natalie Buchbinder

Goaltenders

  • Nicole Hensley
  • Maddie Rooney

Minnesota had the luxury of their goaltenders and most of their defense core still under contract heading into this offseason. However, just five forwards were guaranteed to return, and while they made up the bulk of Minnesota’s production this season, Minnesota was one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league. Therefore, finding them more quality support was near the top of interim GM Ken Klee’s to-do list.

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Re-Signings

Cava, with her back to the camera, takes a shot on goal. She is wearing a white away uniform.
Michela Cava takes a shot on goal. Photo courtesy of the PWHL.

Forwards

  • Denisa Křížová
  • Michela Cava
  • Liz Schepers

Klee has not been overly active in contract extensions, with only three players from last year’s team inking new deals. Křížová, who was already under contract for this upcoming season, added another year to her deal, while Cava and Schepers secured new one-year deals. All of them put pen to paper after free agency opened on June 21, so none of the contracts are guaranteed.

Free Agents

Brodt dishes the puck. Her stick is at her waist and she is looking to the right. She is wearing a white away uniform.
Sydney Brodt dishes the puck during a PWHL Finals game. Photo by Kelly Hagenson/PWHL.

Forwards

  • Sydney Brodt
  • Claire Butorac
  • Brooke Bryant

Defenders

  • Mellissa Channell
  • Nikki Nightengale

Goaltenders

  • Lauren Bench

Three of Minnesota’s would-be free agents this year–Sophia Kunin, Brittyn Fleming, and Amanda Leville–have retired from professional hockey. Another one, Emma Greco, signed with Boston. Also, forward Clair DeGeorge will attend Montréal’s camp as an invite. As for the rest, Bench, Bryant, and Butorac are the only three confirmed as camp invites.

Protected List

  • Minttu Tuominen (F)

Minnesota also still has one player on their protected list for last season. Tuominen opted not to report to Minnesota's camp and instead played for Shenzen KRS in the WCIHL. There's been no chatter about changing her mind and wanting to come to the PWHL this season, so don't bet on it, but also don't count it out.

Draftees/New Faces

From left to right: Hefford, Kloss, King, and Klee pose for a photo with a stick at the draft. They're all smiling.
Jayna Hefford, Ilana Kloss, Billie Jean King, and Ken Klee pose for a photo at the 2024 draft. Photo by Heather Pollock.

2024 Minnesota Draft Class:

  • Round 1, Pick 3: Claire Thompson (D)
  • Round 2, Pick 9: Britta Curl (F)
  • Round 3, Pick 15: Klára Hymlárová (F)
  • Round 4, Pick 21: Brooke McQuigge (F)
  • Round 5, Pick 27: Dominique Petrie (F)
  • Round 6, Pick 33: Mae Batherson (D)
  • Round 7, Pick 39: Katy Knoll (F)

Check out my colleague Angelica Rodriguez's recap for a more in-depth look at each new draftee. So far, Curl, Hymlárová, and Thompson have all agreed to two-year contracts. While the status of the rest is unconfirmed, expect them to attend training camp until otherwise announced.

Minnesota has yet to make a free agent signing this offseason, which is unsurprising given the behind-the-scenes turmoil. They have recruited a few camp invites though, with defender Charlotte Averik and goaltender Lucy Morgan confirmed so far.

Remaining Roster Spots

Eight representatives of PWHL Minnesota pose for a photo on stage while holding a wooden stick at the 2024 draft.
Representatives of PWHL Minnesota pose for a photo at the 2024 draft. Photo by Heather Pollock.

Minnesota has 16 players under contract for next season, leaving them with seven full roster spots to fill, plus three reserve slots. Of the 16 under contract, nine are forwards, five are defenders, and two are goaltenders. So, assuming a regular roster construction, expect the seven remaining spots to go to four forwards, two defenders, and a goaltender. 

If the four unsigned draftees attend camp, Minnesota will still need to sign or invite one more player to fill all their open spots. Given all teams should want to create competition in camp, Minnesota still has some recruiting work to do. On the bright side, they're tied with New York for the most open roster spots, so the number of opportunities might make some players willing to overlook the offseason drama to better their odds of securing a contract.

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