PWHL Minnesota had highs and lows at their inaugural draft, but will look to build on a strong core at the 2024 draft. Here's what they need.
PWHL Minnesota had a polar draft in 2023. Not only did two of the defenders they selected choose to go elsewhere, but they had a few players who have turned into "misses" when it comes to their performance. At the other end of the spectrum, they used the draft to acquire cornerstones of their team like Taylor Heise, Nicole Hensley, and Grace Zumwinkle.
With a season in the books, here's a look at what PWHL Minnesota needs in the 2024 PWHL Draft.
Returning Players
Kendall Coyne Schofield, Kelly Pannek, Taylor Heise, Grace Zumwinkle, Denisa Krisova, Lee Stecklein, Sophie Jaques, Maggie Flaherty, Natalie Buchbinder, Nicole Hensley, and Maddie Rooney are all back on multi-year contracts. It's a strong core with a solidified crease, top line scoring, a number one defender, and leadership. Regardless of who Minnesota returns from this year's roster from their players on one-year deals, it's a good core to build around.
Biggest PWHL Draft Needs In Minnesota:
First and foremost, like almost every team in the league, Minnesota should look to take a defender with one their first two picks. Minnesota lost a chunk of their blueline before the season even started, and entered the season with only Lee Stecklein as a bonafide top pairing defender on the roster. Sophie Jaques had a bounce back in Minnesota following her acquisition, and Maggie Flaherty and Buchbinder have been steady. Still, they'll want someone to come in and steal a spot in the top four, pushing their depth back. Another right shot blueliner like Cayla Barnes in round one or Maja Nylen Persson in round two would help.
Up front, Minnesota needs a full line, one addition at each position. If they stick to a similar strategy, looking at players from the WCHA might become a pattern making Britta Curl, Klara Hymlarova, and Anneke Linser candidates. Hymlarova has versatility up and down the lineup with the ability to play the wing, center, or even defence as the did this season with St. Cloud. Linser spent the year in Sweden but would be a big body impact similar to what Abby Boreen did this year.
Speaking of Abby Boreen
Few have discussed Abby Boreen as a PWHL Draft prospect, but she's already declared for the draft like Claire Thompson, a necessary step for these players to enter the league as full time players. This means that if Minnesota wants to secure the services of a player who had a significant impact on their roster this season, they'll need to beat other teams to the punch to select Boreen. The former University of Minnesota captain scored five points including four goals in nine games this season with Minnesota. Boreen's goal scoring pace, if sustained would have put her tied for second in league goal scoring this season. With her sample size and track record, Boreen could go in the first three rounds of the draft, and if Minnesota wants her, they may need to spend a second round pick on Boreen to make sure she's not elsewhere.