The lines look set for the Minnesota Frost heading into their preseason, and the team is prepared for even stiffer competition in the PWHL this year.
The lines look set for the Minnesota Frost heading into their preseason, and the team is prepared for even stiffer competition in the PWHL this year.
The Minnesota Frost hit the ice on Tuesday afternoon in Toronto as mini-camp officially got underway.
Forward lines seemed to be set. The Taylor Heise - Michela Cava - Kendall Coyne line that was so successful in the playoffs is intact.
An intriguing second line has Rookie of the Year Award winner Grace Zumwinkle with Kellly Pannek and newcomer, third-round draft pick Britta Curl.
Claire Butorac is with Liz Schepers and Denise Křížová on what looks like a strong third line. The fourth unit seems set with Klára Hymlárová, Brooke Bryant, and Dominique Petrie.
Four goalies all took reps but it's safe to assume the Nicole Hensley - Maddie Rooney duo will lead the way for the squad.
Afterwards, Heise said, "For our team, we've had such solid goaltending for so long, and last year there were some lulls in that but that comes with the territory. And in those games, we didn't play well. You can't have a goalie that's going to back you up 24/7.
"Both of our goaltenders--all four of them, actually--are looking really good."
The league should provide an even higher level of play in its second season with the influx of talent from the draft.
Heise said, "Every team is really good, and every team this year is going to be even better considering they're getting more players on each team coming out of NCAA and other places."
Is Minnesota expecting to have a target on their backs as the season gets started?
"I don't even think it needs to be said. Obviously we have that target and pressure's a privilege. It's easier said than done. Everyone's going to give us their best and I don't think that's even going to have to do with us winning. I think that's going to have to do with rivalries from last year, every team being really good, and having that sense of urgency of 'this team won, we're going to kick their butt,'" said Heise.
Expect games and rivalries to be intense right out of the gate and for the competition to be intense as the PWHL begins play on Nov. 30.