The Minnesota Frost will pick sixth overall this year, a lower seed they earned by winning back-to-back Walter Cup titles. The team had a lot of draft day drama last year having ousted their general manager just prior to the draft and needing to run on what was left. They did well in their first two rounds with Claire Thompson and Britta Curl-Salemme, and had some mixed results after. The good news was, some of their picks who were quiet in the regular season like Klara Hymlarova and Katy Knoll, found their way to the front when it mattered most in the playoffs.

This year, Minnesota enters with a full year scouting with the same staff and will be more prepared. With needs everywhere, look for Minnesota to take a best available approach.

Biggest Needs At The Draft

Minnesota managed to keep a viable top six forward group and can round out their top nine easily through the draft and free agency. Where they are in desperate need of help is on the back end. They re-signed Natalie Buchbinder to a two-year deal, and were able to keep Lee Stecklein and Mae Batherson. They also signed Sidney Morin who will help fill the massive chasm left behind by the departure of Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques. Truly for Minnesota, this might be a best available draft, but they need at least one more defender in the top half of the draft to make their back end serviceable. 

Round One Target

At sixth overall a lot can fluctuate. Minnesota might have the opportunity to select Rory Guilday or Nicole Gosling, or they might have the opportunity to select a forward like Natalie Mlynkova. Given the need for defenders in the draft, getting Guilday would be a huge win for the Frost, and would give them a sizeable and steady 1-2 punch in Lee Stecklein and Rory Guilday on the back end. Few teams would have two accomplished shutdown defenders. It's more probably Mlynkova is the player available. Coming from the University of Minnesota, it's a good fit, and she'll provide another two-way weapon up front helping Minnesota's forward group keep pace with the two expansion teams.

Available Players That Fit Minnesota's History

There's a decided Minnesota and WCHA feel to the Frost's roster. They also favour physical two-way players who can make an impact lower in the lineup or be elevated when needed. Before that, they'll continue to look for another defender with offensive upside. The list of Minnesota-based blueliners in this draft is long beginning with Guilday, and continuing on through Nina Jobst-Smith, Hanna Baskin, Dayle Ross and others. Down their lineup, players like Peyton Hemp, Emma Gentry, Clara Van Wieren, Sarah Wozniewicz, Sydney Langseth, and Madison Mashuga could slide into depth roles and potentially elevate their game as we saw this season from Minnesota's depth. Another Minnesota player, Ella Huber could be a target to round out their top six if they pick a defender in round one.

Where will Minnesota pick in the draft?

Despite finishing fourth in the regular season, the Minnesota Frost shot down the draft order after winning their second straight Walter Cup. It means the team will get their first pick of the draft at sixth overall. In the six round, 48 player draft, Boston will pick 6, 14, 22, 30, 38, and 46.

Minnesota Frost PWHL Draft History

2024 PWHL Draft Results

1. Round 1, 3rd overall, Claire Thompson, D, PWHPA
2. Round 2, 9th overall, Britta Curl, F, University of Wisconsin – NCAA
3. Round 3, 15th overall, Klara Hymlarova, F, St. Cloud State University – NCAA
4. Round 4, 21st overall, Brooke McQuigge, F, Clarkson University – NCAA
5. Round 5, 27th overall, Dominique Petrie, F, Clarkson University – NCAA
6. Round 6, 33rd overall, Mae Batherson, D, St. Lawrence University – NCAA
7. Round 7, 39th overall, Katy Knoll, F, Northeastern University – NCAA

2023 PWHL Draft Results

1. Round 1, 1st overall, Taylor Heise, F, University of Minnesota – NCAA
2. Round 2, 12th overall, Nicole Hensley, G - PWHPA
3. Round 3, 13th overall, Grace Zumwinkle, F, University of Minnesota – NCAA
4. Round 4, 24th overall, Maggie Flaherty, D, University of Minnesota-Duluth – NCAA
5. Round 5, 25th overall, Susanna Tapani, F, DNP
6. Round 6, 36th overall, Clair DeGeorge, F, PWHPA
7. Round 7, 37th overall, Natalie Buchbinder, D, University of Wisconsin – NCAA
8. Round 8, 48th overall, Denisa Krisova, F, Minnesota Whitecaps – PHF
9. Round 9, 49th overall, Sidney Morin, D, Minnesota Whitecaps – PHF
10. Round 10, 60th overall, Sophia Kunin, F, PWHPA
11. Round 11, 61st overall, Amanda Leveille, G, Minnesota Whitecaps – PHF
12. Round 12, 72nd overall, Michela Cava, F, Toronto Six – PHF
13. Round 13, 73rd overall, Liz Schepers, F, Minnesota Whitecaps – PHF
14. Round 14, 84th overall, Minttu Tuominen, D, Metropolitan Riveters – PHF
15. Round 15, 85th overall, Sydney Brodt, F, Minnesota Whitecaps – PHF