The back-to-back Walter Cup champion Minnesota Frost have yet to see the dust settle on their celebrations following their PWHL title only nine days ago.
Now the Frost are prepared to say goodbye to four members of their roster through the expansion process. Tuesday Minnesota announced they were protecting captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, 2023 first overall pick Taylor Heise, and veteran blueliner Lee Stecklein.
It meant the team was forced to expose a large group of standout players including Claire Thompson, Sophie Jaques, Kelly Pannek, Grace Zumwinkle, Britta Curl-Salemme, and Nicole Hensley.
“It's been a roller coaster of a week for the Frost," said general manager Melissa Caruso.
"After winning the Walter Cup we transitioned quickly to exit meetings and a lot of tough conversations regarding the deadline that was looming this morning. At the end of the day, we are fortunate to be in a situation where we have so many impact players on this roster. Unfortunately, we are just not able to protect them all."
The expansion draft process will rapidly re-shape the PWHL helping PWHL Vancouver and PWHL Seattle who will begin their roster building process with the exclusive signing window on June 4 compete from day one.
For Minnesota, it's the end of an era that saw them win two titles. Their roster was initially built by general manager Natalie Darwitz who was fired only a week after winning the inaugural Walter Cup. That process continued this season as Minnesota adding several players through the 2024 PWHL Draft.
"Over the last two seasons, a foundation and culture has been established within our organization that we feel these three players, in addition to their skill and ability on the ice, embody, and will continue to uphold as leaders on and off the ice as we move forward into season three," said Caruso. "Additionally, they are all proven winners whose experience will be invaluable as we evolve toward the next phase of the Minnesota Frost."
The PWHL's exclusive signing window for Seattle and Vancouver ends June 8 with the expansion draft itself scheduled for June 9. The roster building process will continue June 24 at the PWHL Draft followed by league-wide free agency.