Minnesota Signs 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.