Minnesota Signs First Overall Pick Taylor Heise

PWHL Minnesota today announced the signing of first overall pick Taylor Heise.

PWHL Minnesota announced today they've signed first overall pick Taylor Heise to a three-year contract.

Heise was the first overall pick in the inaugural PWHL draft after starring for Team USA and the University of Minnesota.

"It's my home, everyone that I love is there, and it's the state of hockey," Heise said on air moments after her selection.

Heise, 23, was the back-to-back WCHA Offensive Player of the Year, and won the 2022 Patty Kazmaier Award as the NCAA's top player. She was also the 2022 World Championship MVP and won a gold medal with Team USA in 2023.

In 14 career games representing USA's senior national team, Heise already has 30 points. She also won three gold medals representing USA's U-18 national team.

Last year while captaining Minnesota at the NCAA level, Heise scored 65 points in 38 games.

Heise's three-year contract means Minnesota has secured four of the mandatory six three-year guaranteed deals as prescribed in the CBA. Kelly Pannek, Kendall Coyne Schofield, and Lee Stecklein are also signed to three-year deals.